Council steps in after Citywatch placed in voluntary liquidation
Lisburn residents have been told the monitoring of public CCTV cameras is now being handled by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council after Citywatch CCTV NI was wound up following a loss of funding. The organisation, which traced its roots back more than a quarter of a century, ceased operating on 30 June 2026 and directors signed papers to place the company into voluntary liquidation on 29 July 2026, according to a social media statement.
Citywatch said it had been established as a charity by the former Lisburn City Council in July 2001 and had worked in partnership with a range of statutory and community organisations, including the PSNI, the Police and Community Partnership (PSCP), the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT), Clanmil Housing Association and Lisburn Chamber of Commerce.
“For more than 25 years, Citywatch CCTV NI [previously LCAC] has operated in the Lisburn, Moira and Hillsborough areas… In carrying out its work, the company has contributed positively towards the reduction in crime, as well as assisting with public safety and anti-social behaviour matters within the areas it operated in.”
The Citywatch statement said funding had been directed away from the charity, leaving it unable to continue operating. It added that the group had been working with the council over recent months to facilitate a transfer of assets and to assist the authority in putting alternative arrangements in place.
Local oversight and practical changes
Councillors have been informed that monitoring staff are no longer based within the police station but are now operating from council headquarters in Lisburn. Councillor Gary Hynds said he would monitor the new arrangements closely. The council has indicated it will provide CCTV services via an alternative operator while managing the transition.
For residents and businesses, the immediate effect should be continuity of cameras in public areas, but questions remain about long-term funding, governance and the relationship between monitoring services and policing partners. Citywatch said it had maintained close working relationships with statutory partners and volunteers over many years and expressed gratitude to those who served on its board.
- Citywatch founded: July 2001 (as LCAC)
- Ceased operating: 30 June 2026
- Voluntary liquidation papers signed: 29 July 2026
- Monitoring now managed by: Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council
| Item | Date / Detail |
|---|---|
| Establishment | July 2001 (as charity set up by Lisburn City Council) |
| Operational end | 30 June 2026 |
| Liquidation | Papers signed 29 July 2026 |
| Current operator | Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (alternative operator engaged) |
Why this matters locally
Public realm CCTV has been positioned as a crime-prevention and community safety tool in Lisburn, Moira and Hillsborough for many years. Local businesses and community groups often rely on timely access to footage when reporting incidents to the PSNI or when seeking to address anti-social behaviour. Changes to who runs the monitoring service could affect policies on data access, retention and partnership working, depending on the terms the council agrees with the new operator.
While the council’s immediate assumption of responsibility should avoid gaps in camera coverage, the situation highlights the fragility of services that have historically relied on mixed funding and volunteer support. The liquidation also raises questions for other voluntary organisations providing public safety functions across Northern Ireland, many of which operate with limited budgets and close ties to local authorities.
Citywatch’s public statement thanked volunteers, partners and board members for their service. The council has said it will continue to provide CCTV services and has begun work with Citywatch to transfer assets. Councillors and community representatives have said they will seek assurances on operational standards and oversight as the new arrangements are bedded in.
Residents seeking clarification on how the changes affect access to footage, data protection or ongoing community safety initiatives should contact Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council for the latest guidance and information.
