New data reveals 238 per cent increase in CCTV cameras operated Luton Borough Council since 2022
New data has revealed how many CCTV cameras owned by Luton Borough Council there are around the town, and how this figure has changed over the years.
Ironmongery Direct, a building materials supplier, sent Freedom of Information requests to councils, asking for data on their CCTV camera use.
The figures found that almost two-thirds (64 per cent) have increased their CCTV presence since 2022, and Luton Borough Council (LBC) was part of this trend.
Information from LBC revealed that there has been an increase of 238 per cent. In 2019, the council had 232 cameras, this rose to 245 in 2022. And this year, that number jumped to 828. This figure does not include privately owned equipment operated by businesses or the public.
A council spokesperson said: “CCTV cameras form an important role in crime prevention, crime detection, community safety and public surveillance schemes and the management of council assets. The figures show an increase in CCTV use due to us incorporating cameras being used to protect council housing properties into our CCTV contract.”
Perth and Kinross in Scotland had the biggest rise, with the council now operating 504 cameras, compared to just 36 in 2012 – an increase of 1,300 per cent.
But the London Borough of Hackney still has the most CCTV surveillance in use, with 3,549 cameras under their control – 1,219 more than any other council.
Ellis Osborn, ecommerce manager at Ironmongery Direct, said: "With the expansion of CCTV across the UK, it's clear that security is an ever-growing priority for local authorities.”