NEARLY £500,000 has been earmarked to introduce an unmanned surveillance system throughout Gwynedd.

A report that will be considered by Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet recommends investing £489,000 to upgrade the council’s CCTV network.

However, the new system would see four full-time council workers made redundant as the council attempts to axe £210,000 from its CCTV budget.

If the Cabinet supports the recommendation to establish an unmanned CCTV provision, the council will install new cameras and a WiFi system in a number of locations in the county to replace the old analogue system that has been in place for around 20 years.

Installing the new CCTV system would mean that North Wales Police could instantly access the live images at any time of the day, produce far higher quality images that can be used in courts today and in future, and would include a wireless connection that would allow for the opportunity to expand the CCTV service to other locations in the county if required in the future.

Cllr Gareth Griffith, Gwynedd Council Cabinet member for highways and municipal matters, said: “This significant investment of £489,000 would modernise the CCTV provision and ensure that the service is suitable for years to come."

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