Welshpool not a priority for new CCTV cameras

Welshpool’s CCTV system is to be improved but is not recognised as a priority by Dyfed Powys Police Force.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn (pictured) was given a grilling by Welshpool Town Councillors last night but was adamant that towns without camera systems would be top of the list in his £2million scheme for CCTV in 15 towns across Dyfed Powys.

And he named Newtown and Brecon among the towns to be prioritised to the obvious annoyance of Welshpool councillors.

“I do not intend to simply switch the old cameras back on, but instead look to see which areas will most benefit from CCTV.  Communities and their focal points have changed since old infrastructures were put in place,” said Mr Llewellyn.

“We will roll this out gradually across the counties and ensure we make the most of our learning as we go.”

Global MGC Security won a tender process publicised by the force to conduct a review of public space surveillance as part of a four-year projected highlighted by the commissioner. He said the procurement process was ongoing.

Mr Llywelyn said the system currently housed in Welshpool Town Hall would remain in place but would be linked to a monitored central control room.

Councillors urged the commissioner to move Welshpool up the list of priority.

“We are being penalised for being proactive,” said the Mayor Councillor Steve Kaye. “The rate payers of Welshpool are being let down because we have funded the current system.

“Surely you should have used Welshpool as the example of how the system can be successful. It is unfair to penalise Welshpool simply because we have invested in our CCTV system for the benefit of Dyfed Powys Police Force.”

Other councillors voiced their concerns that Welshpool was not top of the list and Town Clerk Robert Robinson said the system had been inspected and was already f better quality than the new one being proposed by the police force.

The council agreed to spend £500 installing new cameras on the Maesydre Recreation Ground in a bid to stop vandalism. The cameras will be stand-alone and will be monitored by council staff.