POLICE say CCTV footage filmed by cameras operated by the Devizes Development Partnership has been pivotal in their investigation of a serious attack on a man in The Brittox early on Saturday morning.
CCTV manager Noel Woolrych was called just after 8am on Saturday and asked to examine footage shot in the area just before 3am when Devizes man Jason Edwards, 42, was found outside Boots with serious head injuries.
Mr Woolrych said: “The police first wanted to know if this had been an accident or an assault and the footage was able to absolutely confirm this was an assault.
It allowed the police to see quite clearly what happened up until the point the man went under the canopy of Boots. The cameras could track the whole thing.
“It was satisfying the CCTV did its job and could provide evidence for the police that they found helpful.”
Devizes inspector Matt Armstrong said: “We continue to work hard with partners in the area to prevent such incidents from occurring. Devizes Town Centre CCTV has already been pivotal in our early inquiries and a facility such as this is of great benefit to the town, businesses and public.”
The spotlight on CCTV comes as the system comes under review by Devizes Town Council. A new working party has been set up following a special meeting of the community and civic resources committee.
The town council provides around 90 per cent of the CCTV budget and the Devizes Development Partnership , which operates the system, has asked for a further three years funding from April 2015.
At a previous meeting the committee agreed funding until 2016 but the working party will look at the operation before it commits council tax payer’s money for a further two years.
Coun Andy Geddes said: “I and colleagues are not opposed to the system or continuing its funding, as witnessed to the fact that a further year’s funding was supported.
“It’s purely a matter of due diligence as the council is being asked to continue to act as the primary paymaster of the system for another two years.”
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