By Hayley Robinson

Swale's big brother operation has been 'evicted' from Swale House.

It will now be run from a dedicated Swale desk in Medway Council's CCTV control centre as part of a money-saving deal.

Images from more than 70 cameras across Sittingbourne, Sheppey and Faversham will be monitored in Medway by staff including a Swale CCTV manager.

Monitoring of Swale's radio scheme, which links retailers, the council and police, and an out-of-hours service also forms part of the deal.

Although Swale council initially had to invest £150,000 for the switch-over and has to pay £194,000 a year for the service, it is estimated the move will save the council £46,880 a year after the first three years.

The council did explore keeping the CCTV operation at Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, but its control room needed modernising, which would be a significant investment.

A partnership with Maidstone council was also looked at. But although upfront investment would not have been needed, it would have only produced estimated savings of £8,165 a year.

Police can download CCTV images at Sittingbourne Police Station to prevent "operational difficulties" as the Medway control centre falls outside the Mid Kent policing area, which covers Swale.

Cllr John Morris, Swale council's portfolio holder for community services, said: "Quite simply this provides the best value for money for the council tax payer. We will have a more efficient but more cost-effective service."