CCTV plan for Welshpool recreation ground

Crimebusting CCTV cameras are set to be installed at a vandal-hit recreation ground in Welshpool as council bosses crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

Welshpool Town Council is facing mounting bills to clean-up mess and damage caused by yobs at the town's Maesydre recreation ground.

And councillors fear it is only a matter of time before someone is hurt.

Now they hope the culprits will either be deterred or caught on camera and prosecuted.

Robert Robinson, Welshpool Town Council clerk, said members were now looking at introducing more CCTV cameras in the areas.

He said fencing, football dug outs and the old grandstand have been repeatedly targeted and smashed glass has been littered all over the site which includes the town's rugby and football pitches, as well as a children's play area.

Mr Robinson said before every sports game, people were having to examine the pitches for the glass.

Damaged

He said: "It's just been a recurring problem for a while now and we are keen to highlight it before someone is injured.

"Vandalism throughout the town has got a lot worse in recent months and it's costing the council thousands of pounds every year to clean it up."

Mr Robinson said fences in the grounds were also being damaged regularly and seats were being ripped out and thrown out of the ground's stadium.

"This type of behaviour is something that just can't be tolerated but those responsible keep doing it and it's getting worse," he said."

"After the fencing was damaged it was time to insert a strong deterrent. We have always had one camera at the grounds and it is now clearly signposted that it is in operation which sends a strong message to anyone looking to cause damage that they will be caught and prosecuted.

"We are also looking into the possibility of introducing some more.

"It's not fair that other people have to clean up something that shouldn't have been done in the first place and we are prepared to do all we can to stop this from happening."

By Anwen Evans