New state of the art CCTV cameras installed in Tenby have been praised by the Superintendent for Dyfed-Powys Police’s Pembrokeshire division.

Superintendent Ross Evans and police colleague Sergeant Bev Rodriguez met with town councillors at their meeting on Tuesday night to discuss the newly installed cameras located at High Street, South Parade, Tudor Square, St. George Street, Upper Frog Street and the harbour.

“The new cameras are ready to go and the we’re very pleased with them and the locations - the quality of footage is outstanding,” said Supt Evans, who explained that a modern CCTV Monitoring Room has been introduced in the Force Communication Centre at Police Headquarters, which will allow cameras to be monitored centrally by dedicated staff.

“We have the potential to expand the system in the future and also to review how each camera works on every street, so there are lots of positives from this new system, right across Pembrokeshire, as the quality is excellent.

“The system will provide us with excellent support in crime prevention and detection, and also assist with public safety issues as well, with large events such as Ironman being held in the town.

“We still rely on the brilliant support we get from licensees in the town who help us out, but the CCTV will have a huge impact on how we detect crime,” he continued.

Sergeant Rodriguez said that CCTV provision was also ‘invaluable’ in helping track down missing persons.

The work has been carried out as part of the reinvestment in CCTV programme being driven by a key pledge from the Dyfed-Powys Police and the Crime Commissioner.

Councillors were also informed that force’s ‘Operation Lion’ which aims to ensure public safety and deter anti-social behaviour, low level public order and drink related problems to make Tenby a pleasurable place to visit over the Summer months would run again this year.

“The British Transport Police are superb and really helpful in assisting with Operation Lion and that support will continue,” continued Supt Evans.

Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter said that it was afternoons over the summer that worried a lot of locals, when people are out drinking whilst lots of families are about in the resort.

“We’ve identified the need for more numbers to be on the streets then too,” remarked Sergeant Rodriguez.

“We’ll have a visible presence in Tudor Square and the harbour area during the daytimes, but let us know if there are any problem areas, and we can discuss what we need to tweak at our debriefs after each weekend,” added Supt Evans.