Cameras to be focused on criminals targeting Newcastleton - and will also help prevent flooding

A planning application has been submitted to Scottish Borders Council to place the cameras at eight locations in Newcastleton, including the Grapes Hotel, the Spar/post office, the village fuel station, Whithaugh Pool and the village primary school.

A spokesperson for the applicant, Newcastleton and District Community Trust, said: “This is not just a CCTV project hoping to prevent criminal damage and reduce law breaking in our community, it is a community project that has significant benefits to help us fight the impacts of climate change, providing an additional flood prevention measure to enable a 20-minute warning in the event of a flood event:

“It provides a series of linked cameras for all entrances to our village as well as capture locations prone to regular vandalism (including the school, Polysport, and riverside).”

The applicant believes the project would reduces the likelihood of the village being used as a thoroughfare for criminal activity and help stop local and regional ‘cruising’ groups using the village as a racecourse.

It is also believed it would reduce the likelihood of criminal gangs using the forest roads as a getaway between Central Scotland and North East England.

The 20-minute warning to residents could help avoid a repeat of the devastation Storm Dennis caused in February 2020 with a further flood event in February this year, both of which caused substantial damage within the community.