A NEW state-of-the-art CCTV system will be installed in Carmarthen town and a police station based at the Guildhall very soon.
This assurance was given to three Plaid Cymru County Councillors representing the town at a meeting with Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn. Carmarthen, Llanelli and Ammanford will be the first towns to have upgraded CCTV camera systems, monitored live by police staff, as part of a £2m four-year project across the two counties.
The procurement process is underway and technical details, regarding location and so on, are being considered.
Speaking after the meeting, the three councillors said they were delighted with the outcome.
“Our meeting with Dafydd Llywelyn was a very productive one indeed, and so refreshingly different to the last one we had with the previous PCC, Christopher Salmon, who refused our plea not to scrap live CCTV monitoring,” said Cllr Alun Lenny, who’s also Mayor of Carmarthen.
“These are major investments by a Plaid PCC in restoring services cut by Mr Salmon who implemented damaging Tory austerity measures, including getting rid of the Dyfed-Powys police helicopter and making an unnecessary pre-election precept cut, which meant that the present Commissioner had to start from a lower financial base. I’m sure that the people of Carmarthen will appreciate the reintroduction of effective CCTV coverage and the intention to base the neighbourhood policing team in the town centre.”
“Carmarthen town is still a relatively safe place. But although the crime rate is low, there have been instances of theft, violence and vandalism recently in the town centre,” said Cllr Emlyn Schiavone.
“The Police Commissioner told us that a state-of the-art CCTV system with ‘live’ monitoring would help officers deal more rapidly with a developing crime situation such as street violence or anti-social behaviour, would help identify offenders and provide effective court evidence. It will make people feel much safer on the streets of Carmarthen, especially at night,” added Cllr Schiavone.
“Dafydd Llywelyn’s assurance that a new police station is being planned for the Guildhall is fantastic news,” according to Cllr Gareth John.
“A neighbourhood policing team, based in offices facing Hall Street, will create a very visible police presence in the very heart of Carmarthen town. We were also assured that the station could be developed according to need in the future.”
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