LLANDYBIE community councillors are looking into the possibility of speeding up the provision of CCTV cameras covering Llandybie Memorial Hall and playground.

Technical officer Brian James estimated the cost to the council as £2,000, saying the project would be a joint venture with Carmarthenshire county council and the hall trustees – while match funding from the local authority might be available.

County-councillor Anthony Davies asked whether the community council could provide match funding immediately “in order to get it up and running”.

Chairman Ian Llewelyn agreed the money could come out of council reserves “subject to council’s approval, obviously”.

He added: “The longer this situation goes on the more damage takes place and there are more problems for residents.”

Cllr Peter Roberts said anti-social behaviour continued in Penygroes, where cars were driven into Penygroes Park.

“In the past there has been passive observation but that’s become irrelevant,” said Cllr Llewelyn.

“We now need a more rigid approach and CCTV is an example of that – it’s just a shame we have to go to such lengths.”

County councillor Sian Thomas said the value of CCTV cameras had been demonstrated by the recent Gorslas garage robbery, when a suspect wearing a Halloween mask had made off with a quantity of cash.

‘The camera picked up the registration number of his motorbike outside,” she said. “He hadn’t put a Halloween mask on that!”

● A 22-year-old man from Llansamlet has been arrested on suspicion of robbery.