News
CCTV services to be reviewed
DYFED-POWYS POLICE and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon is to review CCTV services originally installed to cut crime. He believes that provision across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys varies in effectiveness.
Budget pressures on local authorities mean that some CCTV services are being scrutinised by county halls. Mr Salmon said: “The police have never funded CCTV in Dyfed-Powys and any decision to cut funding is the responsibility of the local council.
“Nevertheless, I’m determined to ensure that our communities are kept safe. I’ve offered to contribute to CCTV provision with local authorities.
“I wish to simplify CCTV’s use, ensure it’s beneficial to communities and offer the public a clear understanding of its effectiveness.
“First, however, we must make sure we’re spending money wisely, so I’ve proposed a review, which my office will lead, to assess the appropriate future provision that balances safety, privacy and cost.”
Mr Salmon’s action, supported by Chief Constable Simon Prince, is to work with Dyfed-Powys’s four county councils to review CCTV provision. He will look at existing evidence of its effectiveness, the potential for improved or different technology to reduce crime, opportunities for more flexible monitoring and short-term options for greater consistency and flexibility.
Mr Salmon said: “Why this review? Down the years public bodies – although not obliged to do so – have installed a variety of CCTV systems with a range of technology, monitoring regimes and evaluation processes.
“The police have supported systems in a number of ways but I feel that, in the current financial climate, we need a more coordinated approach – one that is effective and efficient at a cost agreeable to all.
“Although the police do not fund CCTV right now, I am committed to providing a solution.”
In mid-March, following discussions with all four county council leaders, the Commissioner wrote to them outlining his proposed way forward.
He said: “Some town and community councils, businesses and others also have a stake in CCTV so we’ll ensure their needs are considered in the future work.”
Crime
Police investigating attempted burglary at Haverfordwest shop
POLICE in Pembrokeshire are investigating an attempted burglary at No.37 Food and Wine shop on High Street, Haverfordwest, at about 3am on Wednesday, April 3.
A window was smashed and the door handle broken.
Police said: “If you have any information that could help enquiries, please get in touch with PC 195 Tayler, either by: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
“Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.”
News
Don’t forget to vote on Thursday, May 2
THURSDAY, May 2 is your chance to vote for the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner.
Don’t forget to use your vote and head to your local polling station between 7am and 10pm.
They are elected by the public to hold Chief Constables and the police force to account on their behalf.
A Police and Crime Commissioner’s job is to set the police budget and make sure it is spent effectively, appoint the local police forces Chief Constables, set police and crime plans in collaboration with residents and work closely with the local council and other organisations on these plans.
This is the first election in Wales where you will need photographic ID to vote.
Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport or drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
Or you may have applied for a Voter Authority Certificate which is also accepted.
If you plan on taking your Postal Vote to a polling station or County Hall main reception remember to fill in a vote return form. Without the completed form those postal vote(s) will be rejected.
You can only hand in your own postal vote, and postal votes for up to five other people.
You can find out more about the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections online (opens in new window).
Crime
Banned for sleeping in car whilst over the drink drive limit
A MOTORIST caught sleeping in a BMW in MIiford Haven town centre has appeared before magistrates for being in charge of a motor vehicle when he was over the legal alcohol limit.
Police officers discovered John Steele, 30, soon after 5.30pm on March 9 when he was asleep in his red BMW which was parked in a car park at Hamilton Terrace.
“The engine was running and the lights were on,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told District Judge Mark Layton who was sitting at Haverfordwest magistrates court this week.
“Officers smelt alcohol, he was intoxicated and he was slurring his words.”
Officers were unable to carry out a roadside breath test as a result of them not being in possession of a breathalyser at the scene of the incident. Steele was conveyed to a police custody suite where two samples of breath were subsequently taken, the lowest giving a reading of 44 mcg.
Steele, who is employed as a machine technician in Selby, pleaded guilty to the charge of being in charge of a motor vehicle while he was above the alcohol limit.
He was fined £400 and ordered to pay a £160 court surcharge and £85 costs. His licence was endorsed with ten penalty points.
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