FOLLOWING an assault in Ammanford, one family has been demanding answers as to why the town’s CCTV cameras were switched off on the night of the attack.
Tracy Joy the future mother-inlaw of the victim is outraged that the assault was not recorded. She claims lives are being put on the line and justice is being hampered if this is a regularly happening.
She said: “I can understand that live monitoring is too expensive but to not have them on at all is just a money saving step too far and is putting the public at risk”.
Jordan, Tracy’s daughter’s finance had been drinking with friends in Ammanford on Saturday, January 23 when he was attacked on Quay Street near the Old Cross pub.
He was heading home around 11.20pm with a friend when he was attacked.
Tracy said: “He had bumped into a man as they were walking and the man turned back and head butted Jordan.
“The man then proceeded to attack him when he was on the floor and Jordan’s friend ran-off for help. When he was finished the man just walked off.
“Jordan was lying on the floor for about twenty minutes before he got up. He walked all the way to my house in Glanaman in a daze.
“We were horrified by the state of his face and it’s taken a long time for him to get over the attack, physically and emotionally.”
Tracy said the family were ‘disgusted’ to find the CCTV cameras had not been turned on when the attack took place.
“CCTV did not pick up the attack because apparently it wasn’t recording, so there is no record of the attack and finding the attacker is nearly impossible. “How are they supposed to deal with incidences like this if they are not recording?
“I was told it’s to do with money saving, but that’s what they said when the stopped live monitoring -how much more money do they need to save? “Surely public safety is far more important.”
Referencing another man who was assaulted in the same area she continued: “After what happened to Paul Pugh surely it should be made a priority to have Ammanford covered, ideally live monitored but if not, then at least switched on and recording.”
Community Safety Manager for Carmarthenshire County Council, Kate Thomas said: “We are investigating this matter that has been reported to us.”
Dyfed-Powys Police are investigating the assault and any witnesses or anybody with information are being urged to call 101.
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