Bovey Tracey’s broken CCTV could be replaced with £10,000 grant boost

Bovey Tracey Town Council is seeking up to £10,000 from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) to help replace the town’s long-defunct CCTV network.

At a meeting of the council’s Recreation, Parks and Facilities Committee on Monday, October 13, members heard that a three-stage project is being explored, starting with the replacement of the four broken cameras around the town centre.

READ NEXT: Three Dartmoor towns once again recognised among top places to live in Devon

A second, more complex phase could see the system extended to cover Mill Marsh Park, with a third stage potentially adding cameras at the lower end of town.

Town Clerk Mark Wells told councillors that when the original system was operational, Devon and Cornwall Police had requested footage up to 12 times a year in connection with alleged incidents. However, the cameras have now stopped working entirely.

Mayor Cllr Sheila Brooke said the OPCC’s grant scheme presented “an opportunity” for the town, and that reinstating CCTV formed part of the Bovey Tracey Strategic Plan.

Councillors voted to move forward with submitting a grant application.

According to the OPCC, the fund offers grants of up to £10,000 for councils and community groups to improve CCTV systems, with applicants required to match the amount locally.

Expressions of interest must be submitted by this Friday (October 24) and successful bids will be confirmed by the end of November.

The scheme, launched by Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez, is intended to help reduce antisocial behaviour, theft, violence and disorder.

Police.uk figures show that in August 2025, the Bovey Tracey and Moretonhampstead area recorded 21 reports of violence and sexual offences, nine of antisocial behaviour, and three each of burglary and criminal damage or arson.

However, data from CrimeRate.co.uk suggests the town’s overall crime rate remains around 57 per cent below the Devon average, though incidents of violent crime have risen in recent years.

Inspector Sean Roper of Devon and Cornwall Police told The Moorlander: “We support initiatives that help us to improve public safety and detection of crimes. CCTV is just one tool that police can use, there are many other tactics we employ. We work closely in conjunction with partners, including councils, to keep our communities safe.
If successful, the council’s plan would begin with replacing the existing cameras before exploring further coverage in Mill Marsh Park and the lower town area.

Councillors will confirm the details of their match-funding contribution at a future meeting.