A major campaign is underway to bring permanent public CCTV cameras back to Sutton Coldfield town centre, with local business leaders appealing for capital funding to make the long-awaited project a reality.

The Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield Business Improvement District (BID), which represents 340 town centre businesses, is leading the charge to secure a permanent, long-term CCTV solution for the area.

Currently, the town centre operates without a permanent public system, relying on just two temporary cameras installed by Birmingham City Council in July 2025 after a two-year gap in coverage.

While the temporary units were welcomed as a positive interim measure, the BID is now focused on a more robust and reliable solution to ensure public safety and provide reassurance for businesses and visitors.

The plan: modern digital CCTV for key locations

After months of collaboration, Birmingham City Council has provided a formal quotation of approximately £45,000 to replace three obsolete analogue cameras with modern digital equipment. The proposed system would offer:

• 24/7 monitoring: Live, year-round surveillance from Birmingham City Council’s operations centre.
• Police integration: Direct liaison with West Midlands Police to ensure rapid response to incidents.
• Zero ongoing costs: The city council has confirmed there will be no recurring charges for monitoring or recording under its existing public space CCTV arrangements.

This fully developed and costed proposal has garnered strong support from both the BID and local law enforcement.

Police endorsement: a “significant strengthening” of security

West Midlands Police has thrown its weight behind the initiative, highlighting the critical role surveillance plays in modern crime prevention.

“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,” a police spokesperson confirmed.

The funding hurdle and future ambitions

Despite the plan being ready to deploy, the project hinges on securing the initial capital investment for hardware and installation. The BID is actively engaging with key stakeholders to bridge this gap.

Michelle Baker, BID manager at Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID, emphasised the urgency of the situation. She 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. Birmingham City Council will operate and monitor the system at no additional cost. What we need now is the capital investment to make it happen.”

In the absence of direct funding from Birmingham City Council, the BID has formally raised the issue with the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, the town’s Pride in Place Board, and local MP Andrew Mitchell to identify a way forward.

While reinstating the three original cameras is the immediate priority, the BID has outlined a longer-term vision to expand coverage to other key areas, such as Birmingham Road, which currently lacks public CCTV despite a high concentration of bars and restaurants.

How to support

The BID is calling on local partners, stakeholders, and the community to support the campaign. By securing this essential infrastructure, Sutton Coldfield can ensure a safer, more welcoming environment for everyone.

For more information or to discuss funding contributions, contact the Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID.