Commissioner invests in CCTV to keep Torfaen communities safe

Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Mudd has invested £16,000 into Torfaen’s CCTV network to restore and improve coverage in the communities of Blaenavon, Garndiffaith, Pontypool and Trevethin.

The investment will support local community safety initiatives and help keep communities safe.

It is part of a wider, £50,000 investment into Gwent’s Community Safety Partnerships to increase safety patrols, engage with businesses, and provide activities for children and young people across Gwent this winter.

Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Mudd said: “This investment will support the police and the local council to protect our communities and keep them safe.

“By working together and focusing on hotspot areas, we are sending a clear message that we take our residents’ concerns seriously and that crime and antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated in our communities.”

This partnership work forms part of the Home Office’s Winter of Action and builds on the Safer Streets Summer initiative, which resulted in more than 16,000 arrests and fines across the UK for crimes such as shoplifting and antisocial behaviour.

The Leader of Torfaen Council, Cllr Anthony Hunt, said:  "We’re determined to work together with other organisations to support early intervention and prevention initiatives that reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and improve community safety and wellbeing. Thank you to the Community Safety Team and the Commissioner for securing funding for this work. Together, we can make a difference and make our communities safer, nicer places to live, work and visit."  

Chief Inspector Stevie Warden said: "As demonstrated during our Winter of Action campaign, our neighbourhood teams put emphasis on getting on the front foot to tackle town centre crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB).

"Through a mixture of additional highly-visible patrols, covert operations and crime prevention initiatives, we're targeting offenders and safeguarding residents from burglary, theft offences and any disorderly behaviour that has an effect on residents, workers and visitors to our towns.

"This welcomed investment into Torfaen's CCTV network will further enhance our work as part of the community safety partnership, enabling us bring offenders to justice and keep our communities safe."