CCTV upgrades planned for four Swansea communities

Mumbles, Pontarddulais, Gorseinon and Uplands are to get new CCTV systems as part of a major upgrade of city-wide facilities.

The work comes alongside further upgrades for existing facilities in the city centre, council housing estates and Morriston.

It’s also intended for plans to be brought forward to develop a network of free on-street community wi-fi services in the coming years in the wake of the network that’s already proved popular in the city centre.

The move will also see the council’s existing central CCTV control room upgraded.

Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Business Improvement and Performance, said: “The programme of CCTV upgrades and new installations will start this year. It’s a project that aims to support our communities in the years ahead, support the police and other emergency services to help keep people safe.

“The opening of Swansea Arena alongside all the other city centre developments coming in the next few years means we need to upgrade our CCTV systems there.

“If the Morriston upgrade and new systems for Mumbles, Pontarddulais, Gorseinon and Uplands are a success we’ll also look to develop plans for other district centres.

He said: “We’ve already been doing a lot of important work behind the scenes on developing our CCTV plans. Specialist CCTV consultants are helping draw up the plans for the first wave of projects so we can go out to tender soon.

“It’s our ambition to begin work on installing upgraded CCTV and some of the new schemes this year.

“Developing public wi-fi services for district centres are still at an early stage. But we’ve seen how popular the service is in the city centre which is why the council is keen to extend its network to other areas over time.”