40 new and improved digital CCTV cameras are to be installed at stations across the Tyne and Wear Metro network as part of North East Mayor Kim McGuinness’ commitment to making stations and trains safer for everyone travelling on the trains.
The cameras offer state of the art picture quality which make it easier to spot issues as they arise, and also support person identification to help with police investigations.
This new project builds on the £4.2 million investment in 740 new CCTV cameras across all 60 stations on the Metro in 2021. And it also comes at the same time as the introduction of the new Stadler trains into service, all of which have 44 cameras installed on-board.
Kim McGuinness said: “Passengers asked us to make the Metro network safer, so that’s what we’re doing. We’re investing in more ticket barriers, better CCTV and more lighting. This latest investment is part of our wider plans to deter anti-social behaviour and keep our transport safe. Giving more people, especially women and girls, the confidence to travel on Metro, without compromising on safety.”
Metro stations to have received the new cameras so far are Hadrian Road, Meadowell, Shiremoor, Howdon and South Gosforth. Further installations will follow at Monument, Cullercoats and Monkseaton, along with more work at South Gosforth.
Erika Allen, Quality Health Safety Security and Environment (QHSSE) Director at Nexus said: “We’re investing in new CCTV on Metro to improve customer safety and to deter anti-social behaviour on the system. Good quality CCTV is vital to reassure our customers and, if needed, support the police with crystal clear footage.
“These new cameras certainly deliver a step change in quality in terms of the clarity of the images that they can record. This builds on a major revamp of CCTV across our 60 Metro stations in 2021.
“Cameras are there to support our teams and our customers. They supplement the work that our frontline customer support teams are doing alongside the police to keep Metro safe and secure each and every day.
“Overall crime on Metro remains low but we continue to work closely with the police to deal with anti-social behaviour. The message is very clear – anyone who commits an offence on Metro will more than likely be caught on camera.”