Kingston Council is rolling out a new, high-definition digital CCTV system to help keep communities safe and support local police.

New smart cameras will be installed across the borough in existing and new locations, increasing coverage and improving quality of footage. The council is working with security technology experts Johnson Controls to deliver the new system.

Locations for the new cameras have been chosen based on highways data on collision hotspots, as well as insight from the borough's community safety survey about where women and girls felt unsafe. 

Leader of Kingston Council Cllr Andreas Kirsch said: "Kingston is one of the safest boroughs in London and with the rollout of this brand-new CCTV network we are making our neighbourhoods even safer for all communities. 

"This cutting-edge technology will enable us to improve coverage across the borough, using data on collision hotspots and insight from our community safety survey to ensure we place new cameras in the right places."

The new digital infrastructure is being set up with the potential for even more extensive coverage in the future. This includes the installation of mini hubs in some areas, meaning more cameras can easily be added to the network.

The cameras will be connected to a brand-new fibre optic network that is being installed across the borough through the council's partnership with technology company Boldyn Networks. The new network is due to be completed by the end of 2026.

Once completed, the new CCTV network will offer multiple benefits for smarter working, including the potential for council services to do 'site visits' on key infrastructure on mobile phones and laptops.