LIVE MONITORING OF CCTV TO STOP IN CARMARTHENSHIRE

Live monitoring of CCTV cameras in Carmarthenshire is to stop and the funding saved to be used for the Meals on Wheels service.

The move was originally supported by the County Council during the budget setting process, following which further consultation was carried out.

Today, the Executive Board took the decision to approve the full Council position on the issue.

It was based on the findings of an independent review commissioned by the Police and Crime Commissioner stating that there was no case to support active monitoring of public CCTV and that there was little evidence that the cameras deterred violent or alcohol related crime.

Carmarthenshire was the only county in the Dyfed Powys Police area to actively monitor CCTV cameras.

The money saved by stopping it – around £100,000- will fund the Meals on Wheels service in order for it to continue.

The cameras, which are predominantly sited in town centre areas of Ammanford, Burry Port, Carmarthen and Llanelli, will remain on and continue to record but the reviewing of recorded footage would have to be undertaken by the Police.

Executive board member for Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership Cllr Pam Palmer said: “We would like to thank members of the public for sharing their views with us, and we do appreciate their feelings regarding this issue.

“However, evidence produced by the Police and Crime Commissioner showed that live monitoring was of little or no benefit, and he withdrew his funding for the service accordingly.

“Further discussions will take place with the Commissioner and the Chief Constable shortly, we will pass on the results of the recent consultation and discuss future arrangements with them at that meeting.”