CHEPSTOW police have heaped praise on CCTV operators who aided them in an arrest, which has increased calls for the system to be upgraded.

CCTV operators alerted Chepstow police officers to an offence in Moor Street on January 27, leading to the arrest of one person.

Operators of the cameras, who work from Caerphilly, saw damage being caused to a piece of perspex by one male amongst a group of friends. After reviewing CCTV footage the culprit was identified and dealt with by being issued a disorder fixed penalty notice.

Chepstow CADRO officer Tony O'Connor said: "We would like to thank the CCTV operators for assisting us with this arrest."

The CCTV System was funded by the Welsh Assembly and introduced into Chepstow in June 2003. Six cameras were strategically installed into the town centre and Bulwark and were to be used by allowing incidents to be observed and then alerting police to attend the scene.

When the town council first looked at implementing CCTV in 2001, councillors expressed some concerns over the cost and benefit to the town and the council has since held back paying its share of the costs, saying it isn't worth it. They are in talks with the county council about this. Monmouthshire county council are now proposing a significant upgrade to the current CCTV scheme, which they hope to fully implement by March 31, 2006.

The upgrade of the system will improve recording quality, ensure continued recording should the system be interrupted and provide better access for urgent and high priority cases.

It is believed that this will provide greater protection for residents, tourists and visitors from crime and disorder in the town, deter would-be offenders from committing crimes and help to create a pleasant town centre.

Monmouthshire county council will discuss the proposed upgrade of the system today.