Safety in Belfast’s Linen Quarter has been further enhanced with new CCTV at Shaftesbury Square. The equipment is co-funded by Linen Quarter BID and the Department for Infrastructure – in partnership with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) – and is hoped to aid crime prevention and provide valuable evidence for law enforcement.
Placement of the new CCTV follows a problem-solving process among the three organisations, aimed at enhancing safety on Dublin Road and Great Victoria Street. The initiative builds on a similar BID- funded project which successfully increased CCTV coverage for Donegall Square and Bedford Street.
LQ BID play a leading role in prioritising public safety and regularly engage with its members on problem solving initiatives. In addition to CCTV, the BID funds a range of crime prevention measures, including an additional police officer deployed to the area via its Street Beat team. The officer is directly employed within the Linen Quarter and are key to developing local knowledge around community safety and crime, in liaison with partner agencies.
Charlotte Irvine, Finance and Contracts Manager at Linen Quarter BID, said, “With Shaftesbury Square, Dublin Road, and lower Great Victoria Street joining our remit in 2023, we are demonstrating our commitment to funding safety initiatives and collaborating with partners to create a safer district. By deploying these additional cameras, we aim to deter anti-social behaviour, graffiti, and vandalism in this area and create a safe environment for both residents and visitors.
“The installation of new CCTV alongside DfI and the PSNI is a great example of meaningful collaboration, and this combined with our Street Beat Team and the appointment of our new Night Czar makes the Linen Quarter a better place to work, live and socialise. We look forward to continuing these partnerships to enhance safety across the district.
Last month Belfast’s three city BIDs appointed Michael Stewart as the city centre’s first Night Czar. A crucial element of the role includes working with key stakeholders to review and improve perceptions of safety across the city and enhance the night-time economy.
Belfast City Centre Inspector Jackson from the Police Service of Northern Ireland added, “The new CCTV installation at Shaftesbury Square is an important addition to our existing CCTV network. Live footage from these cameras feeds directly into our CCTV Suite in Musgrave Station, enabling us to monitor and respond more effectively to incidents. We have already seen a positive impact since the cameras went live. This collaborative work with LQ BID and DFI is important in making Belfast City Centre a safer place for all those that work, reside and socialise there.”
For more information on Linen Quarter BID and the Safer District Fund visit linenquarter.org/projects/safer-district/