CASH-STRAPPED council chiefs are calling on town bosses to put up money to upgrade an ageing CCTV system in the heart of Pontypool. 

Around 15 cameras helped to detect crime and anti-social behaviour at strategic locations in the town last year, figures show.

But Torfaen council has no funding to pay for new wireless cameras or maintain the existing CCTV system. 

Lyndon Puddy, the head of the public services support unit at Torfaen council, asked community councillors for their help yesterday.

He also suggested the running of the CCTV system, bar its monitoring, could be transferred to the community council. 

He said: “These are very difficult fiscal times.

“Money is not just tight in the local authority. It’s tight everywhere.”

Last year, the community council contacted outside agencies to help with the financial difficulties in running the CCTV system as it again pitched in to help the local authority meet the costs. 

Records showed at the time the system had 16 cameras but two were out of order and another two were only partially working. 

Torfaen council said last year it needed almost £15,000 to upgrade the CCTV and nearly £4,500 to maintain it each year.

At Wednesday’s meeting, community councillor Giles Davies indicated CCTV cameras had previously cost in the region of £10,000.

But Mr Puddy said CCTV costs had come down with the advent of wireless technology, as it no longer requires the use of expensive cables. 

However, he stressed that cable operated cameras could not be used to feed new wireless systems. 

Community council leader Barry Taylor asked for a full expenditure breakdown at the meeting.

The community council also suggested other organisations and companies like shops and pubs could help to pay for the CCTV upgrade and maintenance. 

Cllr Taylor told the meeting: “No decision can be made until we have a full breakdown of everything. 

“Pontypool Community Council will talk with all their partners. We’re not shutting it off. It’s got to be talked about and debated.”