main content Bromley plays key role in cutting crime in London’s schools

Bromley’s central CCTV control room will be the hub of a unique new project set to revolutionise the way security is handled in London’s schools, it was announced today. This has been made possible by a £310,000 upgrade to the systems which monitor Bromley’s streets, making the control room the most up-to-date in London.

The innovative schools monitoring project, a collaboration between Bromley Council and its partner, London Grid for Learning, is being piloted in two schools with a view to eventually extending the service across London.

This new CCTV network will use broadband links established in all London schools by London Grid for Learning when they are not needed for school work. The cameras will transmit images to Bromley’s control room where intruders can be ‘followed’ on screen, warned over a loudspeaker that they are being watched and reported to the Police.

Schools who buy into the scheme will have the peace of mind offered by surveillance that operates when it is really needed – at night, weekends and holidays.

Cameras placed around participating schools will be activated by movement in playgrounds and classrooms to alert the Bromley control room that somebody is in the grounds. Screens for this project will remain blank until an intruder is detected.

“This is a breakthrough in security for schools in London,” said Cllr. George Taylor, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Safety and Chairman of the Safer Bromley Partnership. “We are delighted that the upgrade to Bromley’s CCTV control room has placed us at the forefront of this latest technology.

“This exciting new scheme should go a long way to combating break-ins and out of hours antisocial behaviour in London’s schools. Action can be taken at the time a crime is actually happening. This significantly increases the likelihood of catching the perpetrators and preventing any misdemeanours altogether.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The Safer Bromley Partnership is committed to continuously improving safety in Bromley. We want a borough where people can live, work, play and learn safely. Our members include Bromley Council, Bromley Police, Health, Probation, Fire and London Ambulance Services, the Metropolitan Police Authority and Broomleigh Housing Association. 
• The London Grid for Learning is a consortium of the 33 local authorities that provides a filtered broadband connection, network services, a common learning platform, online content and support communities for all schools across London.
• For media enquiries, please contact Susie Clark, Communications Officer, on 020 8461 7911, or email susie.clark@bromley.gov.uk
• Further information is available at www.bromley.gov.uk