Up to 11 new cameras could be installed across town within months to bolster the coverage provided by the 28 already in place.
Other cameras could also be placed outside the Dolphin pub in Gorey and the former NatWest bank in St Aubin if the plans are approved.
According to the States police document which proposes the plans, the expansion of the 20-year-old CCTV network is needed to improve surveillance in crime hotspots and provide coverage at sites which are potentially at risk from terrorism.
The sites which could receive new cameras include outside Morier House in Halkett Place, the States Chamber and the courts, Parade Gardens and West’s Centre.
If the proposals are given the go-ahead, the police hope that the installation could be completed during the first quarter of next year.
Highlighting the need for a camera on the corner of Morier House, the consultation document, which can be found on the States police website, said: ‘Current statistics would suggest that this camera should assist with around 148 incidents per year.
‘This camera will also assist with the security of the Royal Court building, which not only accommodates senior Crown officers, but is also the venue for the highest court and the Island’s legislature.
‘The national terrorism risk assessment is currently set at severe, meaning that an attack is highly likely. Key political or judicial institutions may present as a target.
‘Persons can also become fixated with key figures.
‘We believe the case for a camera in this position is very strong indeed.’
The force also cited similar reasons for plans to install cameras in the Royal Square and near the Magistrate’s Court and Cyril Le Marquand House.
Chief Inspector Chris Beechey said that there was no current intelligence to suggest the Island was being targeted by terrorists, but that the upgrading of the CCTV network would help improve security.
He said: ‘You might suggest that after 20 years we should be assessing whether the existing cameras are in the right positions.
‘We have continued to develop the camera technology over that time and this is the first major overhaul where we have looked at all the crime data and have tried to really understand if the current locations are right and to see if there are any gaps in our coverage.
‘There are a number of reasons for the suggested camera locations, one of which is security in respect of key sites and buildings, but also in terms of extending the coverage we currently have.
‘This is a piece of work that has been ongoing for several months and is not in relation to recent heightened terror threats.
‘However, security is something we are mindful of.
‘The new cameras would allow us to cover a lot more of the key areas of town and significantly enhance our ability to detect crime.’
When asked whether the public would approve of further increases in surveillance, Chief Insp Beechey added: ‘CCTV is becoming a more accepted norm in the Island and the UK.
‘We have a well-managed CCTV system and its importance has been seen in court on several occasions.
‘I think the public are generally supportive of a certain level of CCTV but it is important that those who manage the system understand the restrictions of use in terms of people’s privacy.’
Full details of the proposals can be found via the Police website.
Anyone wishing to comment on the proposals should email sojp@jersey.pnn.police.uk and mark it for the attention of the data protection officer.
The closing date for comments is 18 December 2015.
- Liberation Square currently this camera is on the old Tourism building. The police plan to move it to the traffic island in the centre of the road outside the Pomme dOr Hotel
- Route De Port Elizabeth this camera is currently outside the AquaSplash, but trees are now blocking the view. The police want to move it to the roundabout outside Maritime House
- Colomberie there are plans to install a new camera at the junction of Colomberie and Grenville Street
- Hill Street plans to install a new camera on the corner of Morier House
- David Place/Stopford Road/Victoria Street plans to install a new camera on the corner of the Royal Hotel.
- Val Plaisant plans to install a new camera on the Rok Construction building
- Parade Gardens already a camera nearby, but a new camera would be installed near the main entrance of the Hospital
- Wests Centre plans to install a camera near the bronze cows
- Royal Square plans to install a new camera
- Odeon plans to install a new camera on the roof of the old Odeon building
- Magistrate Court/Cyril Le Marquand House plans to install a new camera.
Further proposals are also being made for a new camera to be put on the old National Westminster Bank building in St Aubin and another CCTV camera near the Dolphin Hotel in Gorey
