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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You can get FREE sandwiches in Manchester this weekend – but only if you have certain names
Emily Sergeant
Hungry Mancs can help themselves to free sandwiches this bank holiday weekend… but there’s a bit of a catch.
You can only get yourself a sandwich if you have one of these particular names.
We’ve been enjoying some absolutely stunning sunshine across Greater Manchester and much of the UK over the past couple of months, and nothing says sunny days more than taking a packed lunch or grabbing a meal deal and taking it to your local park or greenspace for a picnic.
This is why Pret A Manger has decided to make picnics easier for those who are lucky enough to have a certain type of name.
This late May bank holiday weekend, the popular high street coffee shop chain will be dishing out hundreds of free sandwiches across the UK – including here in Manchester – to anyone whose name happens to start with ‘Nic’.
That means people called Nick, Nicholas, Nicola, Nicole, Nico, Nicolette, and plenty of others could be in with a chance of some free feasting over these next couple of days.
You can get FREE sandwiches in Manchester this weekend / Credit: Wikimedia Commons | Supplied
Here in Manchester, it’s the chain’s Portland Street site, just off Piccadilly Gardens, that’s participating in the free giveaway this weekend, and there’ll be 50 sandwiches a day given out, so you’ll need to be quick if your name starts with ‘Nic’ and you’re feeling peckish.
The offer is only limited to Pret’s freshly-made sandwiches, and unfortunately excludes baguettes, wraps, or rye rolls… but free food is better than no food, after all.
All you’ll need to do to grab a freebie is show your ID at the tills of participating stores this Saturday (24 May) to prove your name, and you’ll get to walk out with your lunch in hand, all without having to spend a penny.
Manchester’s Portland Street Pret A Manger will be giving out 50 free sandwiches to ‘Nics’ this Saturday, and they’re on a first-come-first-served basis.
Featured Image – Eaters Collective (via Unsplash)
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BBC needs adventurous Mancs to take part in next series of Race Across the World
Emily Sergeant
Are you a fan of travelling? Got a bit of a competitive streak in your nature? This might just be your calling then.
The BBC is currently casting for the next series of Race Across the World.
The BAFTA-winning hit show is currently airing to thousands of viewers each week, but with the next series now in the works, producers are on the look-out for ‘intrepid duos’ of all ages who reckon they’re ready to take a step into the unknown, and embark on an epic race across land and sea – and that includes Greater Manchester residents.
With applications for the next series of the massively-popular show now open, nomadic Mancs are being encouraged to take part.
On a limited budget and away from the luxuries of modern technology and conveniences, those lucky applicants selected to take part in the next series will get the chance to experience life in some of the world’s most beautiful and remote locations.
BBC is looking for Mancs to take part in next series of Race Across the World / Credit: BBC
Navigating their way across thousands of miles, they’ll travel through spectacular scenery and dynamic cities, visit ancient wonders, learn local customs, and take part in time-honoured traditions.
But, as producers are keen to point out, “the physical journey is only half of the story”.
That’s because, as the contestants take on the challenge of travelling across the world, the greatest thing they’ll discover along the way could actually be about themselves and one another.
Putting out a UK-wide casting call on the BBC website this week, producers Studio Lambert wrote: “We are now accepting applications for the next series of Race Across the World. This experience is open to all, whether you’re a seasoned traveller or total novice.
“We want to hear what undertaking a trip like this would mean to you, and with a cash prize at stake, what lengths you would go to to win.
Applications for the massively-popular show are now open / Credit: BBC
“Maybe you’re looking to change something in your life? Or are keen to share the journey with someone special like a family member, best friend, or someone you’ve lost touch with. You may even have a very personal reason for wanting to travel at this time in your life or explore a particular part of the world.”
Fancy it then?
Applications for the third series of Race Across the World are now open for anyone over 18 years of age, with a deadline date of 6 July 2025, and you can find out more information and apply via the BBC website.
The Manc -
19th November 2020 
