WORK to reinvest in CCTV in 17 towns throughout Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys has started.

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

Work in installing four new hi-tech cameras is due to start in Cardigan in September, the town council heard recently, with the whole programme across the Dyfed-Powys Police area due to be completed by spring 2019.

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.

Mr Llywelyn 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.”

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.

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 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.

The 17 towns 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.