Tasmania Police can now access 300+ cameras in Hobart owned by council

Ever get the feeling you’re being watched? If you’re in the view of one of 300+ cameras across Hobart’s CBD, you very well might be. Here’s how the CCTV network is helping police fight crime.

Completed CCTV network at North Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

A CCTV portal recently established at the Hobart Police Station is already paying dividends, helping officers track down an alleged crook and enabling them to monitor the condition of a group of people stranded on kunanyi/Mount Wellington during a storm.

A collaboration between the Hobart City Council and Tasmania Police, the portal gives officers access to footage from about 330 camera views right across the city.

Southern District Commander Jason Elmer said the portal allowed police to access real-time camera feeds, as well as playback and review recorded footage, and download and export files.

Officers at Hobart Police Station examine live CCTV footage from cameras in Hobart's CBD. Picture: Tasmania Police

“Installed less than a month ago, this portal has already proved to be an excellent tool for managing active incidents and extracting evidence after an event,” he said.

The senior police officer said the system had been used on its very first day of operation to guide police in catching a suspected criminal in the CBD.

“In another example, officers were able to monitor the welfare of the people stuck at the Mt Wellington visitor centre in the recent severe weather event,” he said.

“As well as enhancing public safety and deterring offenders, this immediate access to CCTV can provide valuable evidence for our investigative and uniform areas.”

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the council had recently invested $1.8m in new and upgraded CCTV cameras and that it was “important” that these were made available to “the people that need [them] most”.

“The city is a relatively safe place to be compared to many other cities around the country. It’s a vibrant and welcoming place,” she said.

Tasmania Police Southern District Commander Jason Elmer. Picture: Linda Higginson

“But these [cameras] are an insurance policy to ensure that people know that we can follow [up on] crimes. If a criminal act is undertaken in the city, people will be seen through these kinds of cameras.

“So it’s very helpful for law enforcement, and we’re happy to play our part in that.”

Ms Reynolds said CCTV helped “manage public spaces [and] ensure public safety”.

“I think there’s an acceptance that there’s a lot of good for having eyes on the ground and the ability for police to be able to access the footage in real time and use it for criminal investigations is really important, as well,” she said.

Hobart has more than 80 security cameras installed along a ‘safe corridor’ running from the North Hobart strip to the waterfront and including the Elizabeth St Mall. There is also fibre-optic cabling installed on the corridor, which the council has said will enable the network to be “future-proofed”.

Originally published as Tasmania Police can now access 300+ cameras in Hobart owned by council