Cornwall Fire and Rescue is set to cease monitoring CCTV for Cornwall’s major towns due to budget pressures, following a decision made by Cornwall Council’s cabinet.

Several town councils across Cornwall, including Truro, Redruth, Camborne and Penzance, rely on the CCTV monitoring services supplied by Cornwall Fire & Rescue, which is a Cornwall Council service. 

Cllr Martyn Alvey said there would have to be changes to the services provided by the critical control centre including those which are paid for by outside organisations, such as the CCTV monitoring crucial for tackling crime and ensuring safety.

However he stressed that no decision had yet been made about the future provision of this service and said that CCTV services affected would continue until at least April 2024. He said that there would be extensive consultation before any decision is made.

Truro town clerk Roger Gazzard said the city had 23 cameras, the highest number in Cornwall.

“The initial response is that all the towns want to act together to find another provider, as it seems to work,” he said. “They have told us long-term that’s not going to carry on, but they will work with us all to have an orderly change. In some ways we feel it could be an opportunity to review what’s been done and work with everyone to get the best solution possible. Because we don’t have to rush, there’s time to consider. We know we won’t be left high and dry.

“It’s a question of where it’s going to be and who will do it – the obvious place would be to continue in the current location, even if it isn’t Cornwall Fire and Rescue doing it, as it has all the equipment in place.”

A Cornwall Council spokesperson said: “Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service is working with wider colleagues and partners across Cornwall Council to identify a viable long-term solution to CCTV monitoring. 

“Following cabinet’s decision on March 22, we will be producing an implementation plan regarding the future of Critical Control operations. CCTV monitoring will form a key part of this plan. 

“We will continue to provide the current monitoring service from the control room at Tolvaddon SHQ throughout the 2023-2024 financial year, while a longer-term solution is identified. In the meantime, should any CCTV customers wish to enter into an arrangement with another provider, they will be free to do so.”