The thief who stole Neath's crime-fighting camera a day after it was installed has been prosecuted and the device put back.
'Neath Cam Live' was set up by a local business overlooking The Parade, in July last year, following repeat offences involving drugs and anti-social behaviour in the town centre.
Now, several months after the theft - the livestream camera has returned with requests from the community to install more across the town. You can read more stories about Neath here.
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The camera, set up to "shine a light on the problems facing Neath Port Talbot", was stolen from its location on July 28, 2021.
Owner and resident Sascha Lopez said at the time: "It's getting to the point where we are going to have to have a camera facing the camera, it's just ridiculous."
On January 27, Michael William Campfield appeared before magistrates in Swansea to plead guilty to failing to comply with a community protection notice and criminal damage to do with CCTV.
Campfield, aged 37 of Fairyland, Neath, was ordered to carry out a 12-month community order with an alcohol treatment requirement, handed a 12-month exclusion order from entering Neath town centre, a 25 days rehabilitation activity requirement, and told to pay £200 compensation.
"I can't understand the mindset of him, it's ironic and akin to the criminal trying to rob a police station," said Sascha.
"I have no doubt the camera will continue to capture crime and anti-social behaviour. Just on Friday, there was a large fight in the town centre and three police vans attended.
"The added benefit of the camera being public is the wisdom of the crowd, and the ability for members of the public at home to report the crime rapidly."
The livestreaming not-for-profit camera has become a bit of a 'cult hero' to the residents of Neath as it regularly captures late-night antics and and even musical renditions by performers.
'Neath Cam Live' has thousands of subscribers on Youtube, with 8.6k regular viewers and 1.7 million views from all over the world.
"It's been the talk of the town, we have some regular viewers who are truly invested in the camera and Neath's wellbeing," added Sascha.
"We co-ordinate closely with the police and pass relevant footage to them, they have contacted us numerous times for footage that the council-run camera hasn't picked up. The response from them has been positive and we've always let them know we're happy to help.
"This camera fills a gap in the council and police offerings, and anything we can do to help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in Neath is a win in our eyes."
There have been requests to help develop the CCTV camera system elsewhere in the town centre.. The self-funded service operates predominantly through "their own pockets" but Sascha said they would be open to working with other businesses within the town to help create a safer environment.
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