It is an expense we could do without but when it is safety you can't put a price on it

Bus company owner, Tony Strafford

All companies who provide large school buses have been told to install cameras by the summer if they want their contracts renewed.

The cameras went live on Wednesday and Strafford's Coaches became the first firm in the area to set up the new equipment.

Wrexham Council instigated the move after head teachers and pupils raised concerns over safety during an investigation.

Contractors, parents and teachers were consulted and one of the issues highlighted was misbehaviour on buses.

The authority's chief transportation and engineering officer, Rob Wilkinson, said: "We could only conclude from the review that it would be appropriate to move towards a 100% CCTV policy.

"We look forward to the improvements in behaviour and safety these cameras will bring."

'Groundwork'

The local authority have said the move has not been prompted by any particular incident.

Tony Strafford, owner of Strafford's Coaches, said safety has to be a priority.

"I believe there is a problem in the area but we haven't experienced it," he said.

"It is costing us an awful lot of money. It is an expense we could do without but when it is safety you can't put a price on it."

"We've done the groundwork already. It is no use fitting CCTV cameras after an incident has occurred."