Town installs new CCTV to deter shoplifters

Emily Coady-StempBBC News, South East
News imageTandridge District Council Oxted town centreTandridge District Council
Several organisations have been involved in launching the CCTV system

New CCTV has been installed in the hope of reducing shoplifting in a Surrey town.

The cameras will cover strategic areas in Oxted and Hurst Green and will give Surrey Police direct access to images and footage for evidence.

Adrian Pointer, board director of the Oxted Business Improvement District (BID), said it was a welcome initiative and would be used alongside in-store CCTV and a secure reporting system.

He added: "We will be able to restore confidence to businesses owners and assist the police to significantly reduce the amount of both targeted and opportunistic shoplifting in the town.”

The system will be operated by Oxted Parish Council and will cover Station Road East, Station Road West, Hurst Green and Master Park.

As well as the parish council, Tandridge District Council, the BID, Limpsfield Parish Council, Surrey Police and more were behind the launch.

Oxted parish councillor Peter Giles, who led the project, said: “We are really pleased that following a huge amount of time and effort by a great many people, we have managed to see this project through to launch.

"It is through all the above communities coming together that this initiative has been possible."

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