A COMMUNITY safety boss dismissed calls for Monmouthshire's CCTV system to be monitored in local police stations.

The much-criticised scheme was launched five years ago, with six cameras positioned in each of the county's town centres: Chepstow, Caldicot, Monmouth and Abergavenny.

However, town councillors have often queried the effectiveness of the system, which is monitored by Caerphilly borough council staff in a centre outside Monmouthshire.

But Eric Saxon, Monmouthshire council's cabinet member for community safety, said there was "no need" for local monitoring centres.

"To be perfectly honest it really doesn't matter where you monitor it from," he added.

"Modern technology means it could just as easily be located in Birmingham, for example, and be just as effective."

But concerned town councillors in Chepstow, some 31 miles away from the surveillance centre in Tir-y-Berth, Hengoed, disagreed.

"It should be monitored by people who knew the area - that was the main concern," said Hilary Beach, Mayor of the town.

The town council recommended that it should be monitored in two police stations - one in the north of Monmouthshire and one in the south.

Councillors even threatened to withdraw funding if Monmouthshire council did not "make significant progress" on this issue, but have since decided to stay on board.

Monmouth town council withdrew its funding for the scheme, of £11,500 per year, in April 2007.

Deputy mayor Dave Stevens said members grew frustrated at the lack of information from Monmouthshire council over the way it is used by police and council staff.

Councillor Saxon also denied there was a problem with the quality of the footage, after fears were raised that it was not sufficient to secure prosecutions.

He visited the centre in Hengoed a few weeks ago, and found the cameras produced "a good, sharp, clear image that can identify vehicles and people from quite a long distance".

Monmouthshire council recently appointed a new CCTV development officer, Chris Norman, who is conducting a review of the system.