It’s thought that around 40,000 CCTV cameras are now currently in operation across Manchester, with one camera for every 13 people.
This is said to be due to the heightened awareness of public surveillance.
The popularity of home CCTV and doorbell cameras usage is also increasing across the city – with the number rising year on year as the cost of this level technology comes down – and anxiety over lockdown and the increase in mail order purchases is also said to have driven the use of DIY CCTV systems at home for monitoring and security purposes.
“It won’t come as a shock to most people that the number of CCTV Cameras in Manchester has hit a new record high, driven mainly by residents installing home CCTV in the last year,” explains James Ritchey from Manchester-based CCTV company CCTV.co.uk.
He continued: “The popularity of doorbell cameras is relentless”
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“The technology is getting much cheaper, and when we look at the number of doorbell cameras, DIY CCTV and Home CCTV systems being installed by Manchester homeowners currently, we reckon the numbers have risen a lot this year”.
The difficulty now however, is in calculating just how many CCTV cameras there are in Manchester.
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Geograph / David Dixon
While 40,000 is an estimated figure, there is no exact number available as to how many CCTV cameras there are in Manchester, as a camera does not need to be officially registered and anyone can install CCTV to protect their property.
CCTV.co.uk does however now think that as many as one camera per 13 Manchester residents is where the number lies based on historical data and the upsurge in camera use in 2020.
Generally, there are four types of CCTV camera systems used in Manchester:
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Local Authority/Council/Police CCTV camera monitoring systems.
Corporate and business CCTV Systems.
Home CCTV Systems.
Non-installed Doorbell and wireless cameras.
Surprisingly though – based on National averages – almost 96% of the total number of cameras in Manchester are owned by private businesses and homeowners, and not the government or local councils.
“These numbers may send shivers down the spine of those worried about state monitoring,
“However, the government controls less than 4% of the total CCTV cameras in Manchester [which means that] most are just homeowners protecting their property”, James Ritchey concludes.
You can find more via the CCTV Manchester website here.
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Morrisons is introducing ‘sensory support boxes’ in stores for autistic and neurodiverse customers
Emily Sergeant
Morrisons is introducing ‘sensory support boxes’ for autistic and neurodiverse customers shopping in its stores across the UK.
Supermarket shopping isn’t always the most pleasant or manageable of experiences for everyone, especially for those who are autistic or neurodivergent – with bright lights, loud sounds, strong smells, and crowds of people making it a rather overwhelming and overstimulating atmosphere.
This is why Morrisons has decided to collaborate with the National Autistic Society to introduce dedicated ‘Sensory Support Boxes’ at its stores nationwide, as a way to both mark World Autism Acceptance Month, and help autistic and neurodivergent customers have the positive shopping experience they deserve.
These boxes have been carefully-developed in consultation with the National Autistic Society to ensure they include the most helpful items.
A range of toys like fidget balls, spinners, and squish mats can all be found inside the boxes – which will be eventually be available in all 500 Morrisons supermarkets by May – to help encourage calmness and focus.
All that customers wishing to access the items need to do is simply speak to a colleague at the customer service kiosk of their local Morrisons store.
More than one in 100 people are autistic, and there are 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK.
Morrisons is introducing ‘sensory support boxes’ in stores for autistic and neurodiverse customers / Credit: Morrisons
Speaking on the decision to introduce the Sensory Support Boxes into UK stores, Joseph Clark-Bland, who is the Community Manager at Morrisons, said: “It’s a priority for us to ensure all Morrisons customers feel welcomed and understood.
“We’re proud to be leading the way in creating a more inclusive shopping environment for autistic people, their families and all neurodivergent people across the UK.
“World Autism Acceptance Month has been a key moment for Morrisons for many years, and we look forward to supporting even more customers via our new Sensory Boxes.”
The introduction of the Sensory Support Boxes comes after Morrisons first trialled a ‘Quieter Hour’ in some of its stores back in 2018, before rolling it out nationwide in 2024 due to its success and positive feedback.
Featured Image – Morrisons
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Greater Manchester cinemas to screen family-favourite films for just £2.50 this spring
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester cinemas will be screening family-favourite films, and some new releases, all throughout this upcoming spring holidays.
The best bit? Prices start from a massively-affordable £2.50 a ticket.
With Easter right around the corner, and schools across Greater Manchester set to be on their spring holidays in a couple of weeks time, parents and carers will likely be looking for ways to keep the kids entertained while schools are out.
But now it’s time to take care of those film lovers… and also those keen to plan budget-friendly events that also take into account the classic Manchester April showers.
Cinema chain Vue has announced its lineup of family blockbusters showing at venues across Greater Manchester this spring – including Printworks, Lowry, Bolton, Altrincham, and Bury.
Arriving in time for the school holidays, A Minecraft Movie welcomes fans to their favourite cubic wonderland, while the whole family can instead transport themselves into Disney’s reimagining of the 1937 classic Snow White if they’d prefer.
Also returning to the big screen are childhood classics like Wallace & Gromit: Curse of The Were-Rabbit, 20 years after its original release, and the beloved Babe, to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary.
Greater Manchester cinemas will be screening family-favourite films for just £2.50 this spring / Credit: Disney | Aardman Animations
And as part of Vue’s ‘Mighty Mornings’ offering, film fans can enjoy pre-releases of family-friendly flicks like Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Moana 2 every day throughout half term, all from just £2.49 per ticket when booked online.
“A trip to Vue this Easter break is the perfect opportunity for families to immerse themselves in the magic of their favourite big screen characters,” commented Rob Lea, who is the Head of Screen Content at Vue UK & Ireland.
The Manc -
19th November 2020 
