A project to upgrade the CCTV network in Fraserburgh could fall through if the initial £10,000 required to unlock more funding is not raised.
Fraserburgh Community CCTV Working Group want to upgrade the “ageing” cameras protecting the town centre, and has already been awarded £60,000 to do so.
But before the group can access the cash, they must £10,000 in the next 12 months.
Now businesses and residents of the town are being urged to get behind the fundraising campaign – with the group hopeful they could even get the cameras in place by Christmas.
£60,000 funding boost from Aberdeenshire Council for CCTV in Fraserburgh
New dome-style cameras would be set up at five new locations at Hanover Street, Charlotte Street, Deejays Night Club, the corner of Mid Street and Cross Street and the junction at Broad Street and Mid Street.
Brian Topping, chairman of the CCTV group, said the fate of the project depends on bringing in the first chunk of cash.
“We are appealing for everybody to help us,” he said.
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“We are not just looking for town centre businesses to contribute, this is for everyone who lives in the town.
“This is a heartfelt plea to folk so we can make this happen.
“The council funding cannot be released until we raise the £10,000 and this project could all fall flat if we don’t get the money.
“The cameras could be up by Christmas, and with the darker nights coming in we thought we should get them up as soon as we can.
“Town centre cameras will not stop crime, but they will help the police detect it.”
The town’s existing cameras were installed in 2009.
Councillors on the Banff and Buchan area committee granted the funding bid last month after a report said the current set-up was not “fit for purpose”.
Ian Dyga’s newsagent on Broad Street, which has previously been broken into, would be covered by the new cameras.
He has previously supported the upgrade, and last night said he hoped retailers and other businesses would unite to get the cameras up and running soon.
Mr Dyga said: “We could fundraise for it.
“It would be a good thing to prevent crime and hopefully that would get people into the town centre.
“I think most of the businesses in the town would be on the same page.”
But Euan Martin, co-owner of the Shoe Box on Broad Street, said he would have to be convinced about the impact of the upgraded CCTV before making a contribution.
“It is sorely needed and can be useful if used in the right way, but I’m not confident that it will be,” she said.
“I would like to see working CCTV which results in prosecutions.”
An Aberdeenshire Council spokeswoman said the group have a year to raise the necessary funds, but that they could be given more time if necessary.
She said: “The terms of the funding agreement, which the Fraserburgh CCTV Working Group accepted, leave the funding offer of £60,000 open for a period of 12 months for them to raise the required match funding and deliver the project.
“The group was aware of the requirement to raise additional funds at the time the project was being discussed with council officers, as the grant from the council will not cover the full costs of the project they wish to deliver.
“We will always be flexible with our projects so if they experience problems in raising the necessary funds, we can consider extending this period if needs be, by a short time.”
