Businesses appeal for permanent public CCTV in Sutton Coldfield

Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield Business Improvement District (BID), which represents 340 town centre businesses, is appealing for support to help secure funding for permanent public CCTV cameras in Sutton Coldfield town centre.

Sutton Coldfield currently does not have a permanent public CCTV system in operation in the town centre.

In July 2025, Birmingham City Council installed two temporary cameras following a period of two years without public coverage in the town centre.

These were welcomed by the BID and local businesses as a positive interim step.

However, the BID is seeking a permanent, long-term solution to provide certainty and reassurance for the town.

In December 2025, Birmingham City Council provided a formal quotation of approximately £45,000 to replace the three obsolete analogue cameras with modern digital equipment.

The proposal would reinstate coverage at the same key locations, with 24-hour, 365-day monitoring from Birmingham City Council’s Operations Centre and direct liaison with West Midlands Police. The City Council has confirmed there would be no ongoing monitoring or recording charges under its existing public space CCTV arrangements.

The plans are therefore developed, costed and supported by the BID and Police.

The remaining challenge is securing the capital funding required to purchase and install the cameras.

West Midlands Police said: “A modern, fully operational public CCTV network would significantly strengthen our ability to prevent crime, disrupt anti-social behaviour and bring offenders to justice.

“The Sutton Trinity Neighbourhood Police Team fully supports the installation of upgraded public CCTV in Sutton Coldfield town centre.”

Michelle Baker, BID manager at Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID, said: “Public safety is non-negotiable, and permanent CCTV is essential in any well-managed town centre.

“We have a fully developed and costed proposal that is ready to be delivered, and Birmingham City Council has confirmed it will operate and monitor the CCTV at no additional cost.

“What is now required is capital investment to enable installation. While the BID cannot fund this infrastructure directly, we will continue to champion the case and work with partners and stakeholders to secure the necessary funding.

“Sutton Coldfield deserves a long-term CCTV solution that provides confidence to businesses, reassurance to residents and a welcoming environment for visitors and we will keep pushing until that is achieved.”

While reinstating the three former cameras is the immediate priority, the BID says its longer-term ambition is for wider town centre coverage in key areas such as Birmingham Road where there are no public CCTV cameras despite the high number of bars and restaurants.

In the absence of funding from Birmingham City Council, the BID says it has formally raised the CCTV repair and replacement costs with Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, the town’s Pride in Place Board and MP Andrew Mitchell in order to help identify a way forward.