Perth Voice Interactive

BIG BROTHER is watching you in Beaufort Street.

Stirling city council has added another four CCTV cameras to the Beaufort-Walcott Street intersection, taking the total number of cameras in the area to 13.

The cameras are clustered around the eastern side of the crossroads, stretching up to the NAB bank.

The new hi-tech fixed cameras will record in high definition 24-7 and can pan, tilt and zoom.

The $72,000 cost for the new cameras will be split between WA police and the council.

Mayor David Boothman says CCTV helps police prosecute criminals and prevent crime.

“The city has already received multiple requests from WA police for footage in recent times, just since December there have been eight requests regarding incidents in Mt Lawley.

“In fact, in the last two years the city-wide 24-hour camera network has assisted police in more than 209 investigations and has helped identify suspicious activities for police to further investigate.

“There is no question that cameras help reduce the number of unwanted incidents and prevent further ones from occurring.”

Irving Keenan Real Estate and Mt Lawley Liquor Barons liaised with police on the positioning.

Mt Lawley Liberal MP Michael Sutherland—whose office is just shy of the intersection—said it was important businesses kept their back entrances well lit to discourage unwanted intrusion.

Stirling has 269 cameras in its CCTV network.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK