THE new police inspector for north Ceredigion has said he “supports” the reintroduction of CCTV in Aberystwyth.

Inspector Jonathan Rees was introducing himself to councillors at a meeting of Aberystwyth Town Council last week when he was asked what his stance was on bringing back CCTV cameras to the town after it was withdrawn in April 2014.

It was reported in the Cambrian News in November that perpetrators of sexual crime in Aberystwyth are less likely to be caught and incidents have nearly doubled in the town since CCTV cameras were turned off.

Cllr Wendy Morris said: “There are no CCTV cameras in Aberystwyth any longer and this is a huge issue for the people of the town.”

Inspector Rees said: “The removal of CCTV predates my arrival in Aberystwyth.

“The current system is not functional and needs an upgrade. Unfortunately, Dyfed-Powys Police don’t have the funding to finance this.

“We support CCTV but we would support an offer of assistance in regard to CCTV.

“I have had an email exchange with a member of the council and a meeting is scheduled to discuss the reintroduction of CCTV.”

Inspector Rees added: “From a policing perspective, it is better when we have people watching the screens.”

Cllr Ceredig Davies added: “I regret the CCTV has been switched off in the town. As a town council, we decided Brendan [Somers] and myself would take up the invitation to see the control room in Machynlleth. The biggest crime issue in town is more often than not anti-social behaviour and CCTV would help reduce that.”

A Ceredigion County Council spokesperson said: “The Ceredigion County CCTV System ceased operation in April 2014 following a decision by council to discontinue funding arising from the current climate of severe fiscal restraint.

“The issue of CCTV coverage across the Dyfed-Powys region has been the subject of a review commissioned by the Dyfed-Powys Police & Crime Commissioner, the findings of which were published in December 2014.

“Currently there are no plans within the Authority to re-instate the system.”