More than £1.5 million to be spent updating Edinburgh's ageing CCTV surveillance infrastructure

More than £1.5 million will be spent updating the capital’s ageing CCTV surveillance infrastructure as part of a wider project to transform Edinburgh into a technology savvy city.

The capital’s existing camera network covers public spaces, housing blocks, the transport network and council buildings in order to maintain public safety and security and prevent crime.

But the analogue equipment has reached the end of its life expectancy and major investment is needed for an efficient system.

Now, Edinburgh City Council has secured £712,000 from the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support a mass-upgrade.

The ERDF’s financial contribution will be 60 per cent match-funded by the council, who are designating £1,068,000 to the project.

Alongside upgrading equipment, funds will also be spent installing additional CCTV around the city.

This month 13 new cameras will be installed in Saughton Park to protect the site’s £8 million refurbishment, which was completed in 2019.

New cameras are also set to be installed this month in the city’s West End at Stafford Street.

The mass upgrading of CCTV forms one part of the wider “Smart Cities” initiative, which has been adopted by cities across Scotland.

The aim of the scheme, which is being funded by the ERDF and Scottish Cities Alliance, is for cities to embrace world leading technology that can support residents, manage Council systems and buildings and improve digital connectivity.

As part of the initiative council officers will be exploring the use of smart traffic management solutions, cashless systems, the roll out of fibre and 5G and innovative digital learning opportunities in schools.

Council Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “We have a vision for a smart city here in Edinburgh and projects like this will significantly improve our systems, making them more sustainable, joined up and fit for the 21st century.

“Particularly as our city grows, CCTV is a going to be a key tool to support the safety of the public and wider community, deterring and preventing anti-social behaviour and crime. The wellbeing of our communities is of the utmost importance and a smarter camera system will help us make sure that residents and visitors are well cared for, and that our local communities are supported and kept safe, for many years to come.

“I’m pleased to see such a significant amount of European funding directed towards this scheme and others which form part of our developing Smart City programme. This is a major project for Edinburgh and I want to thank the officers involved.

“This work is really stepping up our capabilities as a city, leveraging our strengths in data driven innovation and the creation of intelligent, state of the art systems. Edinburgh is fast becoming an example of a truly smart city.”