Southend-on-Sea City Council's Cabinet has approved plans to strengthen community safety across Southend and Castle Point through a new joint CCTV monitoring service agreement.
Southend-on-Sea City Council's Cabinet last night (12 October 2026) approved plans to strengthen community safety across Southend and Castle Point through a new joint service agreement under which Southend will provide CCTV monitoring services on behalf of Castle Point Borough Council.
The proposal builds on the expertise of Southend's existing CCTV team and supports community safety through closer partnership working with Castle Point.
The Cabinet report makes clear that the additional cameras can be accommodated through adaptations to Southend's existing control room infrastructure, without affecting the CCTV service provided to Southend residents. Additional posts will also be created to support the service, fully funded through the contract.
Councillor Ron Woodley, Cabinet Member for Capital Projects and Public Protection, said:
"This is a great example of how Southend-on-Sea City Council can use its expertise to support cleaner, safer communities across both Southend and Castle Point, while helping to make our services more resilient.
"Our CCTV team already plays a vital role in supporting Essex Police and other emergency services, helping to prevent and detect crime and keep residents safe. By working with Castle Point Borough Council, we can make the best use of our existing resources, strengthen collaboration across South East Essex and build on the excellent service already provided by our Community Safety Unit."