‘LEAVES on the lens’ has been cited as a reason for difficulties in capturing anti-social behaviour and crime via CCTV in Wrexham.

At a monthly meeting of Rhosddu Community Council it was acknowledged that leaves on the trees during the warmer months of the year had created problems for the town’s CCTV network including keeping an eye on problems among members of the area’s homeless community.

Speaking after Wednesday’s meeting County Cllr Marc Jones said foliage had obscured the vision of some the equipment monitoring the the town, but efforts were being made to try to get as many of the town’s homeless off the streets and given shelter as soon as possible.

He said: “Homelessness is clearly still a problem in Wrexham and we’re trying to do something about it.

“I’m trying to do something with the CCTV that’s already there, but the problem we’ve got at the moment is a very practical one, the trees are obscuring the view, so we’re not able monitor anti-social behaviour in the way we’d like to.

“Myself and others are trying to push for improved housing for the homeless, to basically try and get them off the streets as quickly as possible, because it’s causing mayhem for them and everyone else.”

Cllr Jones hailed the project involving several shipping containers are to be used as a temporary solution the problem of homelessness as “very positive” with that particular scheme being announced earlier this year in March.

The project, which is set to be launched before the end of the year, will see three specially converted shipping containers be used as regular accommodation, while a fourth will be dedicated to adverse weather and will be open during nights from 8pm until 8am.

Earlier this year Wrexham Council and North Wales Police joined forces to clamp down on begging in the town.

Amanda Davies, Wrexham Council’s town centre manager, sent out a letter to businesses in May to assure them police are targeting begging hotspots, with support being offered to those begging, but those who are persistent targeted with a fixed penalty notice or even taken to court.