Lisburn CCTV turned off

Story link: Lisburn CCTV turned off by Jan Harris

Lisburn Commerce Against Crime, a charity run by a voluntary board, has been forced to turn off CCTV cameras in Lisburn and the surrounding area, due to a shortfall in funding.

The organisation has switched off the award-winning system indefinitely, raising concern that crime could increase as a result.

Lisburn Commerce Against Crime has been involved in a long-running dispute over funding for the system, involving the city council, police, traders and the Northern Ireland Office.

Lisburn City Council has criticised both the police and the Northern Ireland Office for failing to provide extra funding to keep the system in operation.

However, town traders believe that the Council has failed to manage the system correctly and fear that visitors will be deterred from coming to the city if the cameras are not in operation.

The council agreed to provide £100,000 funding, with a further £25,000 from the private sector, subject to the police and the Northern Ireland Office meeting a shortfall of approximately £70,000, which has not been forthcoming.

Lisburn Commerce Against Crime is a charity run by a voluntary board.