Nearly 40 communities awarded CCTV funding by Police and Crime Commissioner

Nearly 40 communities across Devon and Cornwall are set to benefit from new or enhanced CCTV systems after the Police and Crime Commissioner more than doubled the funding available for the scheme.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) initially allocated £125,000 from its Strategic Interventions Fund for 2025/26 to help communities most in need of new or additional CCTV across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. In September, councils, voluntary sector groups and other eligible organisations were invited to apply for grants of up to £10,000 to cover CCTV equipment and associated infrastructure.
Following an unexpectedly high number of applications, the Commissioner agreed to increase the total funding to almost £300,000. As a result, 39 communities will now receive support, including 22 areas where no CCTV systems previously existed.
Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “My office was inundated with so many applications that it became very difficult to choose between them, especially as each one gave compelling reasons for the difference the equipment would make in their local areas.
“Although we don’t have the funding to grant each one, I am pleased to confirm that additional funding has been reallocated to this important initiative. It has enabled my office to include more projects into the scheme which will now benefit 39 different areas across the peninsula.
“CCTV is such an effective tool in helping prevent and detect crime as well as offering reassurance to residents and businesses. I look forward to hearing improvements it has made within communities.”
Among the successful applicants is a joint Cornwall bid led by Redruth Town Council in partnership with Truro City Council, Perranzabuloe Parish Council and Camborne Town Council. Redruth operates a CCTV monitoring control room that already oversees cameras across the four areas.
The current scheme involves 45 cameras monitored for 52 hours per week by two fully qualified CCTV operators, who work closely with partners including Devon & Cornwall Police, Truro City Centre BID, Cornwall Council’s anti-social behaviour officer and Truro City Council staff.
The four councils have received a combined £40,000 to fund additional equipment and monitors, enabling expanded coverage and improved communication across Cornwall. The enhanced system will also support the monitoring of events, help predict and prevent incidents, assist in searches for missing people, identify prolific offenders, manage visitor numbers in key areas and tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
Bradninch Town Council is among those introducing CCTV in their area for the first time. The council has been awarded £2,500 in match funding to support the installation of up to two cameras at its recreation ground, which has been repeatedly targeted by vandalism, graffiti and fires, including the destruction of a large wooden community shelter.
In its application, the council said: “This recreation ground is also a play park used by children of all ages. It is, therefore, considered of utmost importance to keep all users safe and the equipment in good order as far as possible.
“The new CCTV would benefit the whole community as the recreation ground would be a safer place for all to use. It is anticipated that it would even encourage an uplift in users due to the increased security.”
Other councils to receive funding include St Ives Town Council, Great Torrington Town Council, Kingsteignton Town Council, Cranbrook Town Council, Wembury Parish Council and St Giles Parish Council.
Successful organisations include Morrab Gardens in Penzance, Plymouth Community Homes, Christchurch in Paignton, and SWISCo in Torbay.
Funding awarded through the scheme can only be used for the purchase and installation of CCTV cameras and related equipment. It cannot be used for monitoring costs or unrelated expenses. No applications were received from the Isles of Scilly.