CCTV boost for Wem

The Police Authority has approved a £400 grant from its community safety fund to pay for a link up between the town's well-established CCTV network and a camera run by the Thomas Adams School.

Sergeant Julian Hinds, of Wem police, said the £400 grant would enable a camera at the back of the town hall belonging to the school to be linked to the town's main system.

He said the camera monitored a busy thoroughfare in the town and would increase the flexibility and effectiveness of the town system.

"The school very kindly gave us permission to have a link fitted onto the town centre CCTV system and the Police Authority has provided the necessary funding."

Sergeant Hinds said the CCTV system in Wem played a significant role in helping tackle crime and disorder.

"The system was developed in 2009 from a working partnership between West Mercia Police and Wem Town Council, with Shropshire Council also providing some funding. The system is owned by the town council.

"Thomas Adams School last year took over the management of the town hall and a CCTV system was installed for the building. One of the external cameras for the town hall system covers a very useful thoroughfare in the town and permission was given for this to be linked into the town centre system.

"This has given a greater degree of flexibility of coverage around the town centre providing the police with improved means to track incidents around the town, and especially in that particular location."

He said the purpose of Wem's CCTV was to make the town a safer place. "There have been a number of successful prosecutions made possible by film footage and the new camera link further contributes to increasing safety in the community.

"If people offend in the town centre, there is a very good chance their behaviour will be recorded - providing strong evidence to assist the police in arresting and charging culprits."