CCTV set to deter crime along the Rodwell Trail in Weymouth

In August 2022, Dorset Council successfully bid for almost £250,000 of government funding for initiatives to make women and girls feel safer.

The funding was spent on various projects including 'stalking support', the continuation of the Safe Space in Weymouth town centre and additional CCTV cameras, including on the Rodwell Trail which has been plagued by crime and anti-social behaviour.

However, Dorset Council revealed to the Echo in October 2023 that the CCTV cameras have in fact never worked.

A spokesperson for Dorset Council has now said: “SSE visited to site on Monday, January 8, and works are underway.’

Workmen have been seen fitting cables to the poles.

The works are being carried out by Utili-Light ltd who are subcontracted by Enervio.

The important works to connect CCTV cameras to a power supply were supposed to take place in February 2023, but they remained ‘not operational due to a lack of power supply.’

The works have been welcomed as good news by Weymouth town councillor Alex Fuhrmann of the Westham East Ward, which includes the Rodwell.

He said: "It's good news and it's about time. I'm just glad that it's getting done and I hope that people can now feel safer and can hopefully enjoy this beautiful part of Weymouth."

Cllr Alex Fuhrmann next to the camera posts (Image: Hollie Carr)

Four poles have been erected on the walking and cycle trail at particular hotspots – near to the trail’s entrance off Buxton Road, next to the old WW2 gun emplacement above the Marsh; near the tunnel beneath Wyke Road and next to Buxton Road bridge.

It is understood that the poles were put up at the end of last year, during which time they have been sprayed with graffiti.

A 43-year-old Weymouth woman jogging on the running route, who did not wish to be named, told the Echo she wouldn't feel safe until the cameras are in place.

"It's unbelievable that it's taking this long to get the cameras working. 

"There's no way I would run on the trail at the moment if it's not the middle of the day when it's normally busy.

"I just wouldn't feel safe knowing the cameras aren't there." 

A spokesperson for Dorset Council confirmed in November that the authority was now seeking 'urgent advice' from SSE to complete 'this important element of the Safer Streets project'.