A surveillance camera trial in Mangere Bridge is already providing positive results with police reviewing footage in at least one case so far.

Nine closed circuit cameras have been placed throughout the village area in an effort to create a safer environment for shoppers and residents.

Mangere Bridge Village manager Carol-Anne Armitage says the trial has been successful and footage of one offence has been handed to the police already.

The surveillance operation is a result of cooperation between business owners, residents, police and surveillance specialists Watch U Security.

"The move was motivated by the concerns of the business community to make sure we provide a safe and secure place for people to shop and also to create a better feeling of safety throughout the wider community," Ms Armitage says.

The Coronation Rd shopping precinct must keep up with modern malls across Auckland which offer comprehensive security systems, she says. And she’s hoping offences like bagsnatching and vandalism will become a thing of the past.

Watch U Security national sales manager Andrew Waugh says similar systems have been successful in Waiuku and Tuakau.

"Our trial in Tuakau where we’ve got 26 cameras, that’s been in there for nearly a year and the result has been decreasing incidents of vandalism and graffiti."

Residents sometimes express concerns about being watched continuously by "big brother", says Mr Waugh.

"But when they actually experience it operating the whole feeling of satisfaction and safety within the community comes up a whole level because they know that if something happens then somebody will be watching it and something will be able to be done about it."

He says the system is particularly beneficial for smaller communities because it can be built in stages to avoid huge initial costs and can be accessed remotely.

Ms Armitage says when funding can be found for further development there will be a "triangle" of cameras covering the Mangere Bridge area.

As well as the cameras in the village, Watch U has also installed security at the nearby Manukau Harbour Crossing construction base and will soon expand to the Mahunga Drive commercial area, she says.

Each system will link for a real-time "big picture" and will allow monitoring of the entry and exit points to the area.

The scheme’s initial funding has been secured from the Mangere Bridge Community Trust. Chairman Brian Pilkington says he has heard only praise for the scheme from throughout the community.

"The bottom line these days is if you don’t have your area with some sort of surveillance on it, criminals will target your area because they know they can get away with it."

The camera footage can be accessed by Ms Armitage, members of the trust, the Mahunga Drive Business Association, the Manukau Harbour Crossing Alliance as well as Icon Security, Watch U Security and the police.

Police intelligence supervisor Paul Walker says in general CCTV footage can provide an impartial account of events and good descriptions of offenders.

"It does make people think twice about committing offences so it’s a good thing for the Mangere Bridge community," says Mr Walker.

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