Oswestry CCTV system 'more important than ever '

Jim Stafford, a former police inspector, says the the town's CCTV system is invaluable.

Talking to the annual town meeting, Mr Stafford said the award-winning system opened in 2001 after a survey found that seven out of 10 people in Oswestry felt unsafe in the town after dark.

"The character of the night-time economy has changed out of all recognition since we went live in 2001, and CCTV has played a significant role in improving the situation," he said.

"But since police resources have been cut, CCTV has become even more important than ever."

He revealed that the CCTV team was currently working with Oswestry BID which was proposing to extend CCTV coverage to Maesbury Road Industrial Estate, the Penda Business Park and Artillery Business Park.

A second camera was also being installed in Cae Glas Park because of vandalism there.

Incidents

Mr Stafford said that since the CCTV system went live its volunteer control staff and the footage had helped with 11,208 incidents.

Last year those volunteers had given 2,318 of their time, he said.

“We currently have 23 volunteers, with two awaiting training, the youngest is 19 and our oldest will turn 100 this year,” he said.

“Three of our volunteers have suffered ill health and are unlikely to return so we are continuing to recruit for new volunteers."

Mr Stafford said that he had recently reviewed CCTV evidence in conjuction with both the police major investigation unit and the Serious and Organised Crime Unit.

"Officers from both units told me Oswestry was the best CCTV scheme they had worked with."

However, he said that the cameras are being hampered by the growth of trees getting in the way of filming.

He said he was continually having to apply for permission for the pruning of branches to ensure that the cameras are not obscured.

"Under current policies it is difficult to even get a tree pruned unless it was dangerous," he said.