Overview

Wentworth Shire Council has received requests from community members in the township of Dareton to install CCTV in various locations within the township. Dareton is currently facing issues with vandalism and anti-social behaviours that is believed to be from local youth within the community.

This position is supported by the Local Area Command, which advises that the implementation of CCTV would have a significant impact on reducing local vandalism. CCTV can deter potential offenders from engaging in criminal activity and assist with the detection, investigation, and prosecution of offences. In addition, CCTV can improve community perceptions of safety and encourage greater use of public spaces.

The Dareton township experiences a high rate of domestic and family violence (DFV), which frequently occurs in public areas and is often associated with alcohol misuse, unemployment, and family breakdown. CCTV is increasingly used to enhance safety for DFV victim-survivors by providing surveillance in public spaces and capturing evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour. Footage from public cameras can document incidents such as stalking, harassment, and intimidation, supporting police investigations and applications for protection orders, while contributing to the safety of community members.

Overall, the introduction of CCTV is expected to improve public safety by deterring crime, supporting law enforcement in investigations and prosecutions, and increasing the perceived safety of public spaces. Modern CCTV systems also enable proactive monitoring to help prevent incidents, while recorded footage provides valuable evidence for identifying offenders involved in theft, vandalism, and violent crime.