A COMMUNITY council has voted in favour of buying its own CCTV camera to tackle anti-social behaviour and arson.
Members of Caia Park Community Council have been considering the possibility of buying their own CCTV cameras in a bid to reduce crime in the area.
But last month they hit a stumbling block over data protection requirements, which could have seen them having to register with the Information Commissioner.
However, the issue is now resolved after North Wales Police agreed to adopt the camera.
The camera will be targeted at crime hotspots to deter petty troublemakers and to increase the prospect of successful prosecutions against more serious offenders.
It will also be possible to move the camera, which would be fixed to a lamppost, around the area.
Total costs of installing CCTV are expected to reach around £5,000, including £4,395 for the camera itself and £395 for a laptop to monitor it.
Marc Jones, chairman of Caia Park Community Council, said: “This arose because of the arson issue and anti-social behaviour in general. If we can make people aware that they can be caught on camera then that is the deterrent of the CCTV.
"I think what would guide us on the location is if the police and fire service think that there’s hotspots.”
The system was demonstrated by Martin Williams, of Digital Surveillance Wrexham, at a previous meeting of the community council.
He told the group the cameras were almost completely vandal-proof because of the extremely tough materials used.
He said CCTV footage can be instantly downloaded and used as evidence to prosecute offenders without police needing to contact Wrexham Council or individual businesses to request a taped copy.
Community council clerk Michael Morris told the council that the camera would cost £200 to move every time it is relocated.
He said: “There was mention of locating it by the Kingsley Circle shops, but there is already a camera on the roundabout that could view those shops.”
Cllr Morris also gave an update on the situation with Wrexham’s CCTV provision.
He said: “Originally, we were looking at joining up with Wrexham Council’s CCTV.
“In terms of the replacement of the current system it could be in the region of 18 months.
“It’s dependent on grant funding. I think it’s a bit further down the line than where we want to be.
“It might be that at that time that we can buy into the system.
“The other issue that cropped up last month was the issue with registering with the Information Commissioner.
“I did contact Sergeant Darren Jacks to see if the police could adopt the camera and us buy it and he confirmed that that would be OK.”
Whitegate councillor Brian Cameron said: “We definitely need something in Caia and I’d be the first to propose that we go along with this, but I think we should keep our options open for the future.”
Members of the community council voted unanimously in favour of buying their own CCTV camera.