CWMBRAN Shopping's state-of-the-art closed-circuit TV system will be upgraded thanks to a grant of more than £60,000.

The centre applied to the Home Office, through the Welsh Assembly, for CCTV funding under the latest Crime Reduction Programme initiative, and the bid has been successful.

Cwmbran Shopping operations manager Tim Barry said: "To boost the total still further, the centre's owners, Prudential, will be matching the funding, and installation of the new system will begin early in 2002."

Mr Barry said Cwmbran already had one of the most sophisticated CCTV systems in the shopping centre industry, and had achieved great success in crime prevention.

"The additional funding from the Home Office of £67,500 will give us the opportunity to enhance the system still further.

"We will be able to expand it to cover the revitalised north- west quarter of the town, and to make provision to cover the phase two development site."

He said expanding the CCTV system would also help towards the centre's long-term aim of achieving the Secure Car Park Award.

The system gives us a clear view of the public areas, and our security staff are qualified to make sure the equipment is used in a way which meets strict operational guidelines.

To qualify for a grant as part of the latest Crime Reduction Initiative scheme, applicants were asked to set realistic and achievable crime reduction targets that demonstrate the impact of CCTV as part of a wider crime reduction strategy.

The Home Office said the projects were scientifically evaluated to help decide which would be most effective.