A council has installed new CCTV cameras and extra lighting at a city centre park.

The cameras, installed on six-metre columns, mean the whole of The Level, in Brighton, will now be covered with surveillance.

Brighton and Hove City Council has also installed additional street lighting, which it says will “improve visibility and safety at night”.

The Argus: The Level is a hotspot for graffitiThe Level is a hotspot for graffiti (Image: The Voice of Hassocks)

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “The aim is that the cameras and additional lighting will help us tackle the continued vandalism and tagging in the park.

“The Level is subject to increasing amounts of tagging and graffiti offences.

“Tagging is unsightly and ruins the look and feel of the park which is an important green space for residents and local families.”


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Tagging often covers up signage in the park, including safety signage on the children’s dancing fountain, children’s playground, the skate park and encompassing bike lanes.

The Argus: New CCTV at the Level New CCTV at the Level (Image: Brighton and Hove City Council)

The tagged signage around the park cannot be cleaned and must be replaced because of the type of paint used which the council says is “costly”.

The new CCTV will be monitored and the council said its enforcement team will respond to graffiti and tagging offences "immediately".

The council also said the new CCTV cameras are “better equipped” to capture and record anti-social behaviour.

"Vandals" caught in the act will be issued with a fixed penalty notice (FPN) and could be prosecuted, the council said. 

Suspicious behaviour and crimes will be reported to Sussex Police by the council's team. 

The new cameras offer 360 degree views of the park. The cameras have been designed to provide "multidirectional video surveillance" that the council's enforcement team can use to can in and see anti-social behaviour more clearly.

The council also reminds residents to report any graffiti in the park.

"If you see hate-based or offensive graffiti or stickering, please report it though our environmental enforcement hotline or our online request a clean-up form," said a council spokesman

"We aim to remove offensive graffiti and stickering within 24 hours of it being reported to us.

"We only remove graffiti when it is offensive or on council property."