INVESTIGATING crimes in Welshpool could become very difficult if Town Councillors decide to ban or ask Police officers to pay from accessing their CCTV footage.

This is the angry response from Welshpool Town Councillors after Dyfed Powys Police Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn explained his CCTV strategy for 14 towns across the force area, with them in February.

Later this year, it is expected that CCTV will be switched on in 14 towns in Dyfed-Powys as part of a £2 million project being championed by Mr Llywelyn.

Once working the high definition cameras would be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week by police officers at their headquarters in Carmarthen.

At meeting, the town clerk Robert Robinson followed by several councillors vented their fury that Welshpool should be"top of the pile", and felt they deserved to be part of the project more than Newtown.

Mr Llywelyn said that he was very "disappointed" with Welshpool Town Council's actions.

Mr Llywelyn told The County Times: “I am disappointed to hear that this is being proposed.

"We are all working to keep our communities safe and in my view, the best way to do this is together.

"My reinvestment in a sustainable and modern CCTV infrastructure across the force area is testament to the value I place on the technology, but as is the case with all public services, finance is limited.

"My approach with the introduction of the new technology is to do this in a staged process, based on need and existing availability of cameras.

"Welshpool is scheduled for reinvestment in CCTV in stage Two of the project."

Over the last 10 years Welshpool Town Council has invested £17,000 into their CCTV.

The report says: "Following the meeting with the Police and Crime Commissioner Councillors were very unhappy with the responses received with regards to CCTV.

"The Councillors have expressed concern that promises made in a number of areas have not moved forwards, the same way as with the last Commissioner.

"The Councillors have expressed the view that they had hoped for better."

The recommendations that will be discussed are:

a) To express deep concern that it has taken so long to take forward any CCTV plans as promised at the first meeting with the Police and Crime commissioner.

b) To express deep disappointment that Welshpool is not be considered as a priority for CCTV bearing in mind that they are the Town in Montgomeryshire who has invested in its CCTV.

c) To write to the Police and Crime Commissioner giving one month's notice that the Police will no longer have access to the CCTV system without paying for it. The suggested rate is £25 to look and it and £75 for a copy. A member of staff will be in attendance.

d) The Local Police are asked to return the keys to the Town Town Hall.

e) The system will still record and evidence will be made available as above or to a Solicitor, Loss Adjuster and member of Staff.