‘Top notch’ £300,000 upgrade planned for city centre CCTV

CCTV in Newport city centre will be upgraded amid safety concerns.

The city council’s leader said a new fund would support camera upgrades following feedback from residents and traders.

Cllr Dimitri Batrouni added the local authority had heard the public “loud and clear”.

Cabinet members agreed on Wednesday to set aside £300,000 for the upgrades.

Cllr James Clarke, the cabinet member for regeneration, said improving the council’s CCTV network in central Newport was “absolutely crucial” given recent upticks in visitor numbers.

“That investment will give reassurance to residents and businesses in Newport,” he added. “We are not only listening but making things happen.

“I think it’s a good investment of £300,000.”

Cllr Emma Stowell-Corten, the cabinet member for culture, added “an investment in safety measures will be much appreciated by businesses.”

The upgrades will deliver a “top notch system to make the city centre safe,” added Cllr Batrouni.

Earlier in August, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported how several cameras in the city centre had been damaged by “power surges”, taking them out of action.

At the time, the council said it had been able to redirect other cameras to cover affected areas.