A new state-of-the-art CCTV system is now fully operational – helping Hadleigh, and neighbouring Sudbury, remain safe towns that people are proud to visit and call home.

Babergh's cabinet approved proposals to invest £180,000 in upgrading the district's CCTV last July, with unanimous approval for this funding to be allocated from Community Infrastructure Levy – funds collected from housing developers when they build new homes – given in December 2020.

Since then, Babergh officials have worked closely with Suffolk Police, Hadleigh and Sudbury town councils and neighbouring authorities on implementing a fully compliant, improved CCTV system to watch over the district's two largest towns.

The new state-of-the-art system comprises of eight high definition cameras in Hadleigh and 20 in Sudbury, all of which will be monitored 24/7 by neighbouring authority West Suffolk council in their existing purpose built CCTV control room.

This latest investment forms part of Babergh's ongoing Sudbury Vision and Hadleigh Vision, which aims to regenerate the two towns and support their economic recovery.

Cllr Frank Minns, Mayor of Hadleigh said: "These new cameras will help Hadleigh to remain a very safe place to live, and give our residents confidence that crime and anti-social behaviour will be deterred and if necessary detected and prosecuted.

"This is an excellent collaborative project that everyone here will welcome."

Although the council does not have a statutory obligation to provide CCTV, it is hoped that the new system will help to prevent and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, aid prosecution of those who are engaged in criminal activity and help the police with finding missing people.

It will also support the council's continued commitment to tackling enviro-crime, including littering and fly-tipping.

The new up-to-date system also means that any defects to CCTV equipment can be repaired promptly, thereby minimising any downtime for the cameras.

Hadleigh and Sudbury town Councils will contribute financially to the ongoing running costs of the system over the next five years – ensuring the towns remain safe and welcoming for both residents and visitors.

Cllr Derek Davis, cabinet member for communities for Babergh said: "It is credit to the hard work of Babergh's communities team and fellow councillors that the new CCTV system is now fully operational.

"I'd also like to thank the police and town councils for working closely with us on the proposals – paving the way for further partnership work to help us achieve our common vision for communities with bright and healthy futures.

"Of course, CCTV isn't the only answer to tackling crime, however it is an important tool in deterring criminals and reducing anti-social behaviour, and forms part of our council's wider effort to keep Babergh's towns safe, attractive and successful places for people to live and work in."

The upgraded CCTV system complements Babergh District Council's ongoing work to make the district safer, which includes the recent recruitment of additional Anti Social Behaviour officers and the council's active role in the Western Suffolk Community Safety Partnership.