Board backs rural communities with security camera fund

The Wanganui Rural Community Board is helping communities fund rural security cameras. Photo/ Bevan Conley

A fund has been set up to provide grants to help rural communities set up CCTV security cameras.

The Wanganui Rural Community Board was given $15,000 as part of this year's council annual plan and have decided to set up a rural security camera fund.

Communities or residents who band together to raise the majority of money needed for cameras can apply to the board for a contribution.

The grants will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the board which has set $500 as an indicative amount available.

But that could vary depending on circumstances.

"It's a bit of a help," rural community board chairman David Matthews said.

"We got a bit of funding and we thought how could we spread that through the community and give something back?

"We've never had a fund like this before and this is how we felt we could best use it."

Mr Matthews said the cost to install could vary depending on location and requirements but was around the $4000-$7000 mark.

Imagery captured from the cameras are sent via the internet to a property with a recorder where several weeks of photos can be recorded at once.

The information can then be shared with police.

Cameras have already proved effective in fighting rural crime earlier this year when a 27-year-old Whanganui man was filmed throwing sheep guts off the Kai Iwi Bridge on State Highway 3 a few weeks after cameras were installed in the area.

The man was caught and charged seven days later.

For more information or to apply to the fund visit www.whanganui.govt.nz or contact the Whanganui District Council.