A CCTV camera bought to tackle crime on a Wrexham estate has been stolen for the second time in less than two years.

On New Year's Day 2017 a thief shinned up an 30ft pole to steal a camera purchased by Caia Park Community Council to keep watch and help police record crime in the Bryn Hafod area.

It was recovered 12 days later by a PCSO at a field in the Gwenfro area, and was restored with the community council forking out for extra security measures such as coating it in anti-vandal grease paint to protect it.

But last weekend, the camera was vandalised again as it was sawn off at the bottom of the pole, an incident which had apparently been filmed live on Snapchat, according to members at the council's meeting this month.

Council clerk Mike Morris told members: "The Bryn Hafod camera on the eight metre column has been cut off with a metal saw. The large column is back up and there is a light on it but the camera has not been retrieved yet.

"The sad part is that if the insurance doesn't cover the cost of replacing it, it will cost us the equivalent of funding a month's play sessions at Gwenfro Valley children's centre - that is the impact this reckless behaviour has on the community."

Cllr Halley said: "There was a video of it happening going around on Facebook last Saturday at about 11.30pm. You could see the sparks as they were sawing it apparently."

Mr Morris added: "It was on Snapchat but the problem is the footage disappears after just a few seconds so you can't link back to trace it.

"Something about the Bryn Hafod camera obviously rattles them as it's the second time this has happened, only this time they have now decided it was easier to cut it off at the bottom."

The council will see if the camera is retrieved before looking at options to restore it.