Bus firm helps city improve CCTV monitoring

Stagecoach partnering with councils

A south west transport company is joining with local councils to help tackle anti-social behaviour.

Stagecoach South West has strengthened its partnerships with Devon County Council and Exeter City Council to improve safety by providing greater visibility and linking its CCTV system to the city-wide network.

It means all bus station footage is now monitored 24/7 by the city council's CCTV control team so they can respond quickly to incidents. Emergency services can be called immediately, reinforcing safety.

Katie Wagstaff, operations director at Stagecoach South West said: “The project has been operational since the new year and is already making a positive impact. We are committed to making Exeter’s bus station and the surrounding city centre a welcoming place for our customers."

The partnership is funded by the Department for Transport’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding, facilitated through Devon County Council and operated through Exeter City Council who ensure professional oversight and response coordination.

Exeter City Council’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Laura Wright, said: “Being able to link the bus station up with our operational centre allows us to have even better vision of any crime or disorder developing and help keep residents and visitors to Exeter safe.”

Additionally, Stagecoach continues to work with key stakeholders in relation to the Safety of Women at Night (SWaN) Charter which has been developed as part of Exeter's commitment to keeping the city a safe place, where women feel confident and safe at night.