Our approach has been to use existing mobile telephone technology and in particular it's texting capability and combine it with our council's E-mail system to put an innovative twist into communicating between the public and our CCTV Control Room.

The objective was to engage and empower the people living and working in the area we cover by encouraging them to take some responsibility in helping to fight crime and anti-social behaviour by giving them the ability to contact CCTV direct and by allowing them to provide information on things that concern them.

We believe that this is the first time that this type of interaction between the public and CCTV has been attempted in the UK or anywhere else.

Like all good ideas it was simple to set up and cost effective both in terms of money (entire capital cost was £7k) and in the work load, there has been no significant increase in the amount of work CCTV staff are required to do and yet we see a large increase in the flow of information.

This initiative has proved to be very popular with the public, media, our other partners and our own council who are considering rolling our texting services to other departments within the council. We have also been assisting other council's and police forces around the country who are considering setting up similar systems.

We believe that this is a good and cost effective use of existing technology and is worthy of your consideration.

Nominated by Martin Beaumont, 03 April 2007

The Texting service allows members of the public (and particularly young people)to report low level issues that can be verified by CCTV and ongoing incidents in a way that is highly accessible and immediate. This new service characterises the innovation used by the CCTV team to continual refresh their service and improve performance.

Nominated by Ste Thornley, 05 April 2007

This is an excellent example of best practice in a busy CCTV control room which I intend to copy when we open our new room early next year. It addresses a demand which needs to be met in a cost effective way and can easily be replicated in the CCTV conrol room which I manage.

Submitted by David Dodd, 15 May 2007

A very simple method of empowering the population to do something about crime and injustice.

Submitted by Rupert Cloke, 15 May 2007

Effective CCTV relies on accurate and current information. This initiative adrresses both and also engages community cohesion gaining peoples trust and support. An excellent idea that I shall be considering for my own location.

Submitted by Andy Jones, 15 May 2007

This is a really innovative idea and can be used to encourage young people to get involved in community safety action. It talks to them in a media they understand.

Submitted by Lynda Kilkelly, 15 May 2007

This excellent initiative seeks to connect young people to the CCTV system which is very relevent in a lively student/young persons city like Cambridge

Submitted by John Cowin, 15 May 2007

"The devil makes work for idle thumbs" - in this case an excellent piece of work. I'd like to copy this for our area, it makes excellent sense and should be highly commended.

Submitted by Andy Wells, 15 May 2007

Cambridge have a very active participation in developing new initiatives for Community Safety and especially CCTV. Another excellent idea and scheme

Submitted by Kevin White, 16 May 2007