SOMERSET Council has proposed several cutbacks to save money during its financial emergency, including turning off CCTV cameras across the county.

Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, said that if this was to happen, it would make the police’s job in staying on top of town centre crime even more difficult.

This comes after almost 1,000 reports of violence and sexual offences were made to the police in Bridgwater town centre alone from November 2022 to October 2023.

Mr Liddell-Grainger said that only the cameras in West Somerset - run as an independent network - would remain active if the Bridgwater control centre running all the others in Somerset was shut down.

After a meeting with Avon and Somerset’s Police Crime Commissioner, Mark Shelford, Mr Liddell-Grainger felt that a county-wide CCTV switch off would adversely affect everyone in Somerset.

“Not only do the cameras play a useful role in catching criminals they provide a great reassurance to shoppers and others using town centres,” he said.

“They know if they do unfortunately become victims of crime that there is at least a chance that evidence can be collected and the perpetrators caught.

“Turning off the cameras now would remove that feeling of security which could lead to people deciding to avoid town centres at certain times of the day - with an immediate impact on trade.

“If necessary the police and the council should make a joint approach to the government to see if funding for CCTV can in some way be protected so that our town  centres remain safe and secure places to visit and enjoy.”

In response to the savings options first published on January 5, Somerset Council's lead member for Communities, Housing & Culture, Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, said: “Community safety is something I value for our residents and businesses, so I’m really concerned that we’re having to look at turning off CCTV cameras to balance next year’s budget.

“We’re exploring all options open to us and will be seeking partnership working with our parish, town and city councils alongside seeing what funding the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner and other partners can provide.

“Ultimately though there is the potential that we will have no choice but to switch them off if no alternative is available.