NEWCASTLE Emlyn is one of seven additional towns set to receive a reinvestment in CCTV in the final installation stage of the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn’s programme.

As well as Newcastle Emlyn, Lampeter, Burry Port, Llwynhendy, Machynlleth, Ystradgynlais and Narberth will benefit from the hi-tech cameras in the coming months. Works are expected to be completed by early 2020.

The new camera locations areas have been identified by listening to community concerns matched with a review of crime pattern analysis. This included analysing the towns’ crime data, the number of emergency and non-emergency calls for police service received, the level of reported anti-social behaviour and hate crime incidents.

They will join the 17 existing towns – including Cardigan - that have already seen a reinvestment in CCTV cameras over the last 18 months as part of the £2m project.

Mr Llywelyn said: “I am thrilled that another seven towns are going to be included in this CCTV reinvestment programme. Since I made the pledge to reinstate and reinvest in CCTV in the Dyfed-Powys area, I have made it my mission to see it become a reality.

“The complex work to bring the new system to 17 towns was completed early summer. From meeting and discussing CCTV with stakeholders and the public over the last year we were aware there were other towns in the force that could really do with CCTV and thankfully, the budget is allowing us to include seven new towns in this final installation stage.”

CCTV project manager Marie McAvoy said: “This final installation stage will see seven additional towns benefit from CCTV and is expected to be completed by early 2020 when 24 towns in total will have benefited from CCTV with 149 cameras installed.

“I have seen for myself the critical key evidence that the new CCTV system provides in detecting crime and in identifying suspects, in assisting with locating missing persons and in safeguarding the communities we serve.”

The additional cameras will join an infrastructure of hi-tech cameras that links back to a dedicated monitoring suite at Police Headquarters in Llangunnor, Carmarthen.

A team of CCTV operators, overseen by a CCTV coordinator, are actively monitoring the cameras from the dedicated suite, working closely with staff in the force communication centre and supporting frontline officers in dealing with incidents.

The new cameras at Newcastle Emlyn will be installed alongside the existing network in the town.