A NEW CCTV system is set to be installed in Cardigan town centre by the autumn.

The news was revealed at a meeting of the town council in a letter sent to Ceredigion MP Ben Lake by police and crime commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn.

The previous CCTV system in Cardigan was scrapped back in 2014 due to spiralling costs but Mr Llywelyn has pledged to restore them in town across the Dyfed-Powys Police area, funded from the precept.

In his letter to Mr Lake, he said: “You may be aware that CCTV services were withdrawn a few years ago but I am pleased to confirm that a project is under way within Dyfed Powys Police which will see the introduction of a modern new system.

“A total of 116 cameras will be put in 17 towns across the force area.

“Stage one will take place in July this year. Cardigan will see four CCTV cameras installed as part of stage two by the autumn of 2018.”

Cllr Clive Davies welcomed the move and said he understood they would be put up in September, though the exact locations of the cameras was not yet known.

Since the withdrawal of the old service, Cardigan’s Neighbourhood Policing Team has used portable trail cameras at potential trouble spots to help deter anti-social behaviour.

The police and crime commissioner pledged £2m investment to CCTV and committed to its roll out at a meeting of Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Panel last year to help "support policing resources" and "keep our communities safe".

"Careful consideration is being given to reinvestment of CCTV within our policing area and analysis of demand emerging from data relating to crime and anti-social behaviour is informing where CCTV will be implemented,” said Mr Llewelyn.