Digital Video Recording

Sheffield goes Digital

Underlining the digital revolution taking place across Britain’s town and city centre CCTV schemes, the recently opened Sheffield Wide Imaging and Switching System (SWISS), reveals how one major city is embracing the latest advances in surveillance technology to help it combat crime and disorder.

Officially launched in February 2003 by John Denham MP, Minister of State for Crime Reduction, SWISS is overseen by a CCTV Steering Group who’s published strategy statement reflects Sheffield's Crime Reduction Strategy 2002-5, where CCTV is regarded as an important tool in delivering the objectives of the Sheffield First for Safety (SFFS) partnership. 

Organisation and funding 

The umbrella organisation responsible for the city’s crime reduction strategy, Sheffield First for Safety, operates on a partnership basis. Comprising members from the Local Authority, South Yorkshire Police and Police Authority, Health agencies, S Y Fire Authority, Crown Prosecution Service, Probation Service and others, its key strategy is one of a number of other strategies operating within the city addressing crime and regeneration including the Annual Policing Plan and Social Inclusion Strategy.

In excess of £3 million has been spent on the upgrade scheme, with most of the funding for this work having been made available from the Home Office.  However, Area Panels, community groups, commercial organisations and the local authority have all contributed. 

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