A CRIME capturing CCTV camera sawn from its pole and stolen on a Wrexham estate has been recovered, police have confirmed.

The camera bought to help tackle issues in Caia Park was stolen for the second time in less than two years earlier this month, an incident allegedly filmed and broadcast on Snapchat according to community leaders.

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 earlier this month the camera was vandalised again as it was sawn off at the bottom of the pole.

Wrexham town centre inspector Vic Powell says an investigation is ongoing but the equipment has since been recovered and is in "full working order".

He said: "We are working towards suspects.

"The camera has been recovered and is in full working order. It will be re-sited in due course.

"The message to those that want to cause harm in our community is that it is not going to work, we're here for the duration, and so are the community council.

"If anyone has any information about this incident they can contact us anonymously through Crimestoppers, and any information is better than none."

The contact number for Crimestoppers Wales is 0800 555 111.

At this month's Caia Park Community Council meeting, Cllr Brian Halley said: "There was a video of it happening going around on Facebook. 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."