Metford residents concerned for their personal safety can now borrow and install CCTV cameras free of charge in what is believed to be a national Neighbourhood Watch first.
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Metford Neighbourhood Watch Group has obtained funding for six cameras that will be on loan to members of the Metford community for a period of one month.
Hunter Area Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator Bill Hackney said the idea came up at one of the Metford group's meetings.
"We were applying for grants and needed to come up with some new initiatives on how to improve community safety," Mr Hackney said. "We had one community member we knew was being harassed and felt unsafe and couldn't afford CCTV so we thought it was a great opportunity to apply for a grant for six cameras so we can hand them out for free on a contract basis.
"We can also lend them to people who are considering installing CCTV but who may be unsure if it is right for them."
"The community can use the cameras to obtain footage if they feel threatened and need evidence. At the moment you may call the police and ring Crime Stoppers and it's only their word. By the time the authorities are able to act it's usually too late," Mr Hackney said. He said camera footage will provide evidenced-based material to give to police.
Mr Hackney believes the move to be a national first. "I’m involved with groups nationally and I have never seen anything like this before shared by any other co-ordinators.
The cameras, which cost $900 for six, can be battery powered and set up covertly or main powered and used as an inside camera. They have a motion censor, can pick up vision during the day and night and are a compact undetectable unit. Everything is recorded in high definition colour.
"If anyone feels they have the need for one they should come to our meeting on Tuesday night (September 26), have a chat to the committee and show some identification and sign off to have a camera for one month.
"While the technology is reasonably cheap it may still be out of reach for many. That's where community groups like us can help.”
The Metford group has also obtained $1300 worth of car air fresheners carrying the Neighbourhood Watch and NSW Police logos and a message to keep valuables out of sight.