Work to reinvest in CCTV across 17 towns throughout Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys will start this month.

Dyfed-Powys Police has completed a thorough procurement process and has awarded the contract for the work to Baydale Control Systems Ltd. The hi-tech cameras are being supplied by Hikvision UK & Ireland.

The project will bring 116 state of the art CCTV cameras to towns identified as priority camera locations through crime analysis and stakeholder consultation.

The reinvestment and improvement of the existing CCTV provision is a top priority for the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn, who has been instrumental in bringing the project to fruition since his election.

Dafydd Llywelyn, Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “CCTV was a key election pledge of mine, and I promised I would invest in a modern CCTV infrastructure. I am very pleased to be able to say that this is now happening.

“It is vitally important that the force makes the best use of this significant reinvestment to target hotspots and drive reductions linked to disorder and violence.

“This rollout will not be the end of the force’s work in this area and future opportunities for camera sites will be considered.”

Mark Collins, Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Constable, said: “A tremendous amount of work has gone into the CCTV Project to get it to this stage. The background work has been necessary to ensure we have a CCTV infrastructure of cameras in appropriate, needs-assessed locations.

“The cameras themselves will be the latest technology, which will help Dyfed-Powys to remain one of the safest places to live, work and visit in the UK. I’m confident the system will prove to be an invaluable asset in preventing crime and responding to emerging incidents swiftly before they escalate. Evidence from the CCTV cameras will also no doubt prove an important investigative tool for officers.”

Work is scheduled to begin in Builth Wells, Powys on the second week of July.

The programme of works will be carried out over the coming months and is due for completion in Spring 2019.

Camera locations have been selected through careful mapping of hotspot crime and anti-social behaviour areas to fully maximise the benefits from each camera site.

Jeremy Owens, Area Manager for Baydale Control Systems Ltd said: “It is with great pleasure that Baydale Control systems Ltd would like to announce the award of the Dyfed-Powys Police public space CCTV contract.

“Baydale has designed a system tailored to the needs of a modern, forward thinking police force.

“We look forward to delivering a solution, which will be one of the first in the UK, and building a close working relationship with Dyfed-Powys police.

“In winning this prestigious contract it allows Baydale Control Systems Ltd to commit to further growth and job opportunities in Wales.”

The project is supported by the Welsh Government and the four local authorities.

Most of the existing cameras are owned by local authorities and town councils. As part of the reinvestment project, and through agreement with the local authorities and councils, Dyfed-Powys Police will take ownership of 116 of those sites.

The cameras will bring high definition CCTV imagery to a central monitoring system at Police Headquarters. There will also be monitoring facilities at local stations allowing local officers to monitor their local cameras with the touch of a button. Officers will also be able to review CCTV on their mobile data devices.

Ian Compton, Business Development Manager for Hikvision UK&I, said: “Hikvision UK is honoured that Dyfed-Powys Police has chosen our range of innovative video surveillance products and solutions.

“We look forward to working closely with the project delivery team and our partners, Baydale Control Systems Ltd, to help bring public safety across the area.”

The17 towns have been identified for CCTV reinvestment are Aberystwyth, Ammanford, Brecon

Builth Wells, Cardigan, Carmarthen, Fishguard, Haverfordwest, Llandrindod Wells, Llanelli, Milford Haven, Newtown, Pembroke, Pembroke Dock, Saundersfoot, Tenby, Welshpool.