A £4.2m revamp of the security system on the Tyne & Wear Metro has been complete with a total of 740 new cameras installed.

The new advanced CCTC system offers state-of-the-art picture quality which will provide police with crystal clear images should any problems arise on the network.

All 60 stations on the Tyne & Wear Metro have new cameras and will help provide reassurance to passengers as lockdown restrictions continue to ease.

The new CCTV system includes 105 pan, tilt and zoom cameras which can be controlled by operators when required.

Cameras will also be a feature on the new train fleet when launched.

The investment in the new technology is all part of the ongoing £370m Metro: all change modernisation programme.

The new CCTV system has already been used in the last couple of months to identify people involved in incidents, these include:-

Wallsend, March 2021: Three youths identified for damaging a ticket machine and trespassing on the Metro lines.
Howdon and Hadrian Road, March 2021: Eleven youths identified for damaging ticket machines.
Stadium of Light station, April 2021: Youth identified for breaking a Metro train’s window.

Director of Finance and Resources at Nexus, John Fenwick, said: “Through our modernisation programme we have invested £4.2m in a new CCTV system, providing the Metro with some of the most advanced, high-resolution cameras that are currently available.

“Good quality CCTV is vital to reassure our customers, who are gradually starting to return in greater numbers now that lockdown is lifting.

“The cameras deliver a step change in quality in terms of the clarity of the images that they can record.

“CCTV plays a vital role in deterring crime on the Metro, and where incidents have occurred it has allowed us to download footage to assist the police in gathering evidence and supporting prosecutions.

“These cameras are there to support our staff and customers and supplement the work that our frontline customer support teams are doing alongside the police to keep Metro safe and secure.

“Overall crime on Metro remains low but we continue to work every day with the police to deal with low level anti-social behaviour. The message is very clear – anyone who commits an offence on Metro will be caught on camera.”

Sgt Tim Hand, of Northumbria Police, said: “We work closely with Nexus every single day to help ensure Metro remains a safe and enjoyable experience for passengers and staff.

“These new CCTV cameras can only help with that, giving us a clearer picture of the minority who do decide to commit crime and allowing us to swiftly deal with pockets of disorder.

“We would like to thank the overwhelming majority who continue to behave responsibly and considerately across the network.

“Anybody who sees people committing anti-social behaviour or any other criminality across the Metro network are asked to report it via 101 or by speaking to a Nexus employee.”

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