Big brother is (now) watching you!

CCTV cameras are fully operational for the first time in years and are now watching over Welshpool 24 hours a day.

 

While the system is mainly a deterrent and used as evidence for crimes committed, cameras will also be monitored at key times by trained councillors and town council staff to keep an eye on trouble hot spots.

 

The Town Council took control of the previous disjointed system in 2007, and it has been fully revived following an overall to keep an eye on the town centre, Oldford and the recreation grounds every single minute of the day.

 

“The recording is by state-of-the-art computer hard disk and goes back three years,” said Town Clerk Robert Robinson. “It is not monitored day by day but if any crime is committed you can go back and look at the time frame of the crime and the CCTV 'footage' will come up.

 

“It is working 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.  The system is now owned by Welshpool Town Council and we maintain it.”

 

It will cost Welshpool tax payers £5,000 a year and was one of the clear requests to arise from Welshpool’s Community Plan, with residents demanding a town free of litter, dog mess and anti social behaviour.

 

Mr Robertson added: “Mayor Estelle is keen that at peak times the system is monitored so a quick response can be relayed to the police. The Council has, in line with the Community Plan, decided to monitor the system so councillors and staff will be trained up in early May.”

 

Welshpool also installed CCTV at the recreation grounds late last summer to clamp down on unruly behaviour with some of the louts alleged at the time to be as young as nine.