FOI release

Percentages of CCTV cameras currently not operational

Case reference FOI2026/00352

Received 2 March 2026

Published 27 March 2026

Request

* Information on the number of CCTV cameras in your area

* Information on the number of cameras that are faulty or non-operational across your area to date (March 2nd 2026) and also during the following periods 2024, 2025 and the current 2026 period.

This can be broken down into months or years. However, the data is held.

* A percentage and number breakdown on reasons for them not being in use, ie vandalised, faulty, outdated equipment etc

* Where there were faulty cameras, I would like details on how long it took for those faults to be fixed. I am looking for data on the date a camera was reported faulty and then a date for when it was fully operational again.

* Details on how often CCTV systems in your area are reviewed, when was the last time the systems were reviewed or audited as a whole to check suitability rather than fault fixing specific cameras.

Response

Information provided by our Community Safety Partnership Team:

March 2026 Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge & Malling BC Faults logs

Year

Number of Cameras

Reported Faults

Fault Resolution Times

CCTV System Review & Audit Details

2024

118

73

48hrs

Satisfactory

2025

140

192

48hrs

Satisfactory

2026

146

53

48hrs

Satisfactory

Information provided by our Housing Services Team:

Please note, we do not keep digital records for individual camera replacements and the reasons for any replacements or changes would be held in different formats and difficult to administrate and compile in the way this has been requested. For example, an annual service, or viewer may pick up an issue and this is reported on one system, the contractor would quote for any remedial work via a different system, this would be instructed via an asset management system and then invoiced by the contractor via their accounting software to our accounting software. We are working towards a fully digital system and are currently adding equipment to this database to enable such breakdowns in the future, this may be a few years away however due to the volume of equipment in the borough for all mechanical, electrical and specialist systems. We have tried to answer the questions below to assist but collecting data from thousands of contractor quotes and invoices would be in excess of the FOI requirements.

Information on the number of cameras that are faulty or non-operational across your area to date (March 2nd 2026) and also during the following periods 2024, 2025 and the current 2026 period. This can be broken down into months or years. However, the data is held.

We do not have faulty/non-operational cameras on Property CCTV systems under our control. We have a maintenance contract in place for security systems, and they are replaced when required.

A percentage and number breakdown on reasons for them not being in use, ie vandalised, faulty, outdated equipment etc

As per previous this does not apply. All cameras are replaced if required or removed if not required. Cameras that have been replaced are normally just faulty or due to full system upgrades or may turn out to be a wiring problem. We don't have many cameras in our properties and camera replacements are rare with only one or two replaced annually or a full system may be installed. Typically, commercial grade CCTV systems last for 10-15 years.

Where there were faulty cameras, I would like details on how long it took for those faults to be fixed. I am looking for data on the date a camera was reported faulty and then a date for when it was fully operational again.

We have KPI's in our existing contracts with a priority date for repairs and replacements. Depending on the property, cameras are replaced on priority sites within 3 days but typically on others it may be 5 days depending on availability of parts for aging systems. Our contractor is typically well within this target however, we may prioritise other work for them over camera replacements.

Details on how often CCTV systems in your area are reviewed, when was the last time the systems were reviewed or audited as a whole to check suitability rather than fault fixing specific cameras.

We have a maintenance contract and security systems are inspected annually by a specialist with any necessary work carried out immediately after, condition reports are also carried out annually for our planned maintenance programme. On occasion there may be further system reviews in the event of an incident to ascertain any improvements that may be required

Documents

There are no documents for this release.

This is Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.