CCTV cameras are set to make a return to Cromer. 

The town council has applied to install 11 cameras in busy public spots in an effort to deter crime and help in any searches for missing people. 

Councillor Tim Adams said on behalf of the town council: “They will be used to detect and deter crime and anti-social behaviour, and help with local missing persons.

“Although crime in north Norfolk is very low compared to the rest of the country we have seen lots of problems with vandalism lately.

“We’ve had issues with shop windows being broken, etcetera, so we hope it will make businesses feel safer.”

The town council has submitted a planning application for the cameras to North Norfolk District Council.

Cromer last had eight public CCTV cameras in 2013, which were run by NNDC. 

At that time, the district council transferred its CCTV operations to town councils, or shut them down, as a cost-saving measure.

Mr Adams said he and fellow town councillor Richard Leeds had been working on getting cameras back into Cromer for several years, but Covid and issues with landowners have been among a number of hold-ups. 

He said the scheme should cost the town council less than £20,000 - significantly less than the £80,000 it would have cost the council to take on the previous cameras in 2013. 

Mr Adams said: “The technology is a lot more cost-effective now.”

Mr Adams acknowledged that not everyone was in favour of CCTV. But he said the project would be registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office, and images would only be stored for 28 days unless they were needed for a police investigation. 

Only public - and no private - areas would be monitored, including spots such as North Lodge Park, the Church Street/High Street junction, and overlooking the pier forecourt.