Several authorities from across Carmarthenshire have teamed up to gather their thoughts on the return of CCTV monitoring.

Representatives from Carmarthenshire County Council, Carmarthen and Ammanford Town Councils, Hywel Dda Health Board, Natural Resources Wales, Fire Service and Dyfed-Powys Police met last week to give consideration to what would be the most effective CCTV infrastructure, based on the information held by all agencies.

Dyfed-Powys Police, supported by Police Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn, has begun the work to review and consider the plan for implementing new CCTV across the Force area.

The work is set to begin in Carmarthenshire, with a model soon to follow for the other three counties they serve.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn, said “I am delighted that one of my key priorities for delivery is underway and I look forward to the force-wide review of CCTV across all counties being progressed.

“I do not intend to simply switch the old cameras back on, but instead look to see which areas will most benefit from CCTV.

“Communities and their focal points have changed since old infrastructures were put in place – we need to ensure that the cameras are in the places they should be in, according to today’s needs.”

“We will roll this out gradually across the counties and ensure we make the most of our learning as we go - key partners working together to get this right now, will keep people safe for years to come.”

Following the meeting, T/Assistant Chief Constable Pam Kelly said: “We are working together as a team, considering where the highest risk and demand is within the County and we will follow this same approach of talking and sharing information together as we roll this model out across the counties.

“CCTV cameras are of a much better quality compared to those that were utilised many years ago , therefore, there is a strong likelihood that there will be a reduction in the number of cameras utilised, without compromising on the level of coverage we can achieve.

“The cameras will be placed in areas where our communities encounter the most problems and will help in making sure that vulnerable people and our wider community are kept safe."