Montgomeryshire AM Russell George has welcomed he installation of seven new CCTV cameras in Newtown by Dyfed-Powys Police.

The cameras are part of a countywide scheme which will see over 120 cameras are being installed in 17 towns across the police force area of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys.

"We have not had sufficient CCTV in Newtown, so I am pleased that the new high-definition CCTV system for the town is now being installed and should be completed by the end of this month.

"I'm disappointed by delays due to unexpected problems relating to the ownership of buildings which were earmarked for use as part of this programme and the CCTV programme has now been redesigned. The positioning of cameras is clearly an operational matter for the Police, but I’m aware that a number of location suggestions had been made, and I hope that these suggestions have been taken into account.

"I hope that this news will also be welcomed by residents and businesses following a number of incidences of anti-social behaviour, assaults, burglaries and other crimes in the town.

"As a result of the new system, I hope that we will see a reduction in these incidences and that it will assist the police in protecting the public from anti-social behaviour and crime.

“I’m due to meet the Chief Inspector for Powys Operations soon to discuss the new system and wider matters.”

Dyfed Powys Police say a new CCTV Monitoring Room is also being introduced in the Force Communication Centre at Police Headquarters, Llangunnor, which will allow cameras to be monitored centrally by dedicated staff.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “I know Newtown has been crying out for the police-managed CCTV system to be installed and I am delighted that work has begun there. A project of this nature is very intricate and complex. The CCTV Project Team is working hard to keep the project moving along as swiftly as possible. I hope residents of Newtown will reap the benefits of the new infrastructure upon its completion.”