MORE than 100 arrests have been made possible by the work of CCTV operators in Bridgwater over the past year, new data reveals.

Dozens of cameras around Bridgwater monitor town streets and open spaces 24 hours a day, and new figures reveal the impact they have.

Bridgwater Town Council continues to invest in 61 CCTV cameras, which the authority says are “playing a quiet but vital role in keeping our community safe”.

“Whether it’s helping prevent crime, supporting emergency services, or protecting vulnerable individuals, the CCTV system is always working behind the scenes to safeguard Bridgwater,” a spokesperson added.

The cameras are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, by a team monitoring live footage and responding to incidents in real time, working with the police and local services.

“Over the past year, the CCTV team has supported hundreds of incidents across the town — helping to prevent harm, protect residents, and support prosecutions,” the spokesperson said.

Bridgwater Town Council said CCTV was involved in a range of incidents across the year:

• Assaults were swiftly picked up, leading to 71 arrests — a direct result of timely CCTV support, police response, and Town Link coordination.
• Wanted individuals were successfully identified 52 times through CCTV, helping police make 47 arrests and remove offenders from our streets.
• Anti-social behaviour remained a key focus. CCTV helped track 43 incidents directly, and further supported 88 police reports, ensuring safer public spaces for everyone.
• In cases of missing persons and welfare concerns, CCTV actively helped locate 27 individuals.
• Incidents related to drink driving, drugs, weapons, and criminal damage were also monitored and addressed thanks to fast-acting operators and strong inter-agency collaboration.

READ MORE: Council takes on costs of running CCTV in Bridgwater

Jamie-Lee Lipton, CCTV manager at Somerset Council, said: “We’ve had another busy year in CCTV. Our close collaboration with Avon and Somerset Police and our Local Authority partners has been instrumental in ensuring the safety and security of the areas we monitor.

“We’re committed to maintaining high standards and responding effectively to incidents as they arise.”

And Councillor Tim Mander, from Bridgwater Town Council, added: “The investment in our CCTV infrastructure justifies and underscores our dedication to community safety in and around the town.

“The data clearly shows the positive impact of our CCTV operations, and we will continue to support these efforts to ensure Bridgwater remains a safe place for all residents.”

In August last year, the town council took on funding the CCTV operation in Bridgwater from Somerset Council, at a cost of more than £167,000 per year.

At the time, a spokesperson for Bridgwater Town Council said: “Bridgwater Town Council is committed to playing its part in promoting community safety in Bridgwater. The most visible commitment to this is its funding of the town’s CCTV infrastructure.”