New sensors to discourage anti-social behaviour at Cambridge Road Estate
Kingston Council is rolling-out digital sensors to support the management of empty properties at Cambridge Road Estate, in partnership with IoT solutions specialist North.
As phase one of the Cambridge Road Estate regeneration is underway, with a number of residents now permanently decanted to alternative homes, the new sensors can help discourage squatters and anti-social behaviour improving safety and ensuring the redevelopment does not get delayed.
Vacant properties may be targeted during the period in which they are empty prior to demolition starting. The sensors, installed inside the empty properties as part of the InnOvaTe Project, enable the property management team to remotely monitor unauthorised property entry and occupancy in real-time. In addition, considerable costs can be saved if break-ins are detected early.
Cllr Emily Davey, Portfolio Holder for Housing at Kingston Council, said:
“We want to provide reassurance to residents on the Cambridge Road Estate about the security and safety of empty properties near their homes. These sensors will be able to provide us with real-time insights so that our teams know if intervention is needed to prevent anti-social behaviour which could cause distress to residents and delay the redevelopment.”
Early last year, residents of the estate gave the green light to regenerate the neighbourhood with approximately 2,170 new homes: a mix of flats, maisonettes and houses of various sizes and number of bedrooms matched to the needs of the households — modern homes which are the right size. The remodelled estate will provide at least 114 additional council homes.