Better protection from crime and disorder thanks to improved CCTV partnership

Residents of Caldicot, Chepstow and Abergavenny are gaining better protection from crime and disorder thanks to improved CCTV systems in the town.

Representatives from each of the partners working with CCTV met this week to show their commitment to making communities safer by signing a ‘memorandum of understanding' which sets out each partner's role in fighting antisocial behaviour.

The Mayors for each of the three towns joined Superintendent David Johnson of Gwent Police and Monmouthshire County Councillor Bryan Jones with Monmouthshire County Council (MCC)'s CCTV Development Officer to sign the document. The event took place at Chepstow Town Council Chambers on Monday 11th May.

Last month police attended 9 incidents in Chepstow that were identified by the CCTV operators. CCTV resulted in police attending 24 incidents in Abergavenny and 13 in Caldicot.

CCTV Development Officer, Chris Norman, said:

"Incidents we pick up on CCTV don't always result in an arrest but each time a problem is identified, the issue is resolved and the culprits are often sent on their way.

"We have built up an improved CCTV partnership with a better relation between the partners and safer streets in Monmouthshire. The Police and CCTV operators are working together and this has resulted in incidents being quickly identified and responded to'.

"We are working together to bring about a real sense of community safety and wellbeing by using CCTV to prevent and detect crime."

Councillor Bryan Jones, MCC's cabinet member for community safety, said:

Our CCTV Development officer has done excellent work in improving the CCTV service with help from our partners in the town councils, Gwent Police and residents. This shows what great work we can do when we work together.

"The document means we will all know what we can expect from each other and will help to make our communities safer."

Mayor of Chepstow, Councillor DavidDovey, said:

"The whole CCTV operation has been transformed in the last few years, it's good value for money for our residents and we now enjoy an excellent working relationship with the Monmouthshire CCTV Partnership."

Mayor of Abergavenny, Councillor John L Prosser, said:

"Getting feedback has been a real key to improving CCTV in Abergavenny along with the addition of mobile cameras."

Mayor of Caldicot, Councillor David Evans, said:

"Three or so years ago we may well have pulled out of the scheme but we could see how many improvements were being made and we can now see a difference in Caldicot because of the role the cameras and the police have had to play in detecting crimes."

Superintendent David Johnson of Gwent Police, said:

"Things are progressing. A small minority of people causing crime and disorder will be dealt with effectively with this technology. Crime and disorder in our county is low but people need to feel safe. We are giving 100 per cent of our support and commitment to the scheme."

For more information on the CCTV partnership contact Christopher Norman, CCTV Development Officer on 01495 761155 or email christophernorman@monmouthshire.gov.uk