Some positive news if you've been campaigning for CCTV in your area

Local communities blighted by the burglary and anti-social behaviour could be thrown some 'Big Brother' style help with the announcement that a new grant-aid scheme for community-based CCTV systems has been launched.

Tanaiste and Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has said there is €1 million in Budget 2017 for the scheme which is envisaged to run for 3 years with funding of €1 million being available each year.

Under the scheme, a grant of up to 60% of the total capital cost of a proposed CCTV system will be made available subject to a maximum grant of €40,000. Upon approval for the grant, the applicant will receive 50% of the amount up front with the balance to be paid when the Department is satisfied that the system is operational and in line with the code of practice.

The Meath based Minister said “this is fantastic news for communities throughout Meath East who have been battling with a spate of burglaries and break-ins in recent months.

Government Chief Whip and Meath East TD Regina Doherty welcomed the news. “Crime reports for 2016 show a daunting figure of approximately 4,000 theft and burglary related incidents recorded in Meath. I am hopeful that the CCTV scheme announced today will go a long way in shrinking this number of recorded crimes in our county.

“Local CCTV systems have a high value for communities which is a vital means of deterring crime and assisting in the detection of offenders. I would encourage as many community groups to make an application for this funding as soon as they can to ensure that Meath is readily equipped to tackle local crime.

“Applications under the scheme can be made to the Department of Justice and Equality and the application form and explanatory material are available for download on the website of the Department at www.justice.ie.”

Is this something you'd like to see in your area. Let us know here at the Meath Chronicle