Review launched over future of CCTV systems
CCTV systems run by police and councillors in Shropshire are under review – while a town in Mid Wales prepares to have its own cameras taken down.
The CCTV in the heart of Newtown has not been working since the summer of 2011 and now it will be removed because the town council cannot afford to run it.
Newtown's CCTV was installed more than a decade ago with the help of a Home Office grant following a spate of problems.
Now the town council has been told it could be breaking the laws by having cameras fitted but not in use.
Jenn Jones, town clerk, said the cost of bringing the cameras up to date would be about £40,000.
"It is too expensive and there are a number of businesses and other CCTV cameras working in the town centre", she added.
The system was run originally by the Powys Community Safety Partnership, with Welshpool Town Council taking over in 2011.
Meanwhile, representatives from groups involved with Shropshire's CCTV system met earlier this week to discuss its future and its effectiveness in monitoring crime.
Those attending the meeting, including the police, looked at whether Shropshire Council can work closer with other groups involved in CCTV.
Different market towns currently operate their own systems which are funded and maintained in different ways.
They also looked at whether money invested in the system is being spent as effectively as possible, whether the cameras are in the right places, and if they are effective in reassuring the public and recording crime and anti-social behaviour.
Shropshire Council officials said they understood that while for some people CCTV was a valued resource, others felt there was too much monitoring.
The conclusions of the meeting will go before Shropshire Council's Cabinet.
