NAST? I wonder how many who read this column know what this stands for, how we as residents and businesses rely on them as we go about our daily lives, where they are based and what they actually do.

Let’s start then at the beginning, as the song goes, ‘a very good place to start’.

NAST, Newton Abbot Security Trust, has been around in NA for some considerable time and prior to 2014 was mainly involved with radio communications between business in the town, allowing businesses to be kept informed of current situations which may affect them.

At this time NAST was supported financially by TDC, NATC and Newton Abbot Chamber of Trade but from 2014, TDC withdrew its funding.

To allow NAST to continue, in 2014 a limited company was set up to run the affairs of NAST and NATC took on and still does account for much of the funding for NAST.

At the same time, NAST commenced coverage via CCTV within the town and with the support of Austin’s and NATC this has continued until the present day, although from its humble beginnings, it has grown considerably over that period.

Businesses and NATC now form the committee responsible for the day-to-day running of NAST and with the immense invaluable assistance of Austin’s, who through their good offices, manages the accounts and administration for NAST, without which that portion of its work would have to be borne by others.

NAST, offices and control room are situated within the town and I expect most of us have passed by without even giving it a second glance, as it is, for obvious reasons not advertised.

As we go about our daily lives we properly don’t even give a second glance to the various CCTV cameras dotted around the town centre, who, thanks to 24/7 coverage, ensures that residents, businesses and visitors to our vibrant town can feel safe and secure, in the knowledge that should at any time anything untoward happen, there is a record of the event as well as the opportunity for the security staff to respond quickly, offering assistance and guidance where necessary.

This is particularly the case during the night-time economy when sometimes people wish to enjoy what Newton Abbot has to offer, become overzealous in their wish to enjoy themselves.

Recently NAST has had the opportunity to expand its field of operations, taking in for instance the Town Quay, linking into the CCTV systems at Kingsteignton and Bovey Tracey providing those two areas with the support required to ensure that their residents and businesses are safe.

At the present time, discussions are ongoing with other town councils to explore whether they can and wish to link into NAST system.

Of course, anyone who links into the system has to contribute, allowing much needed financial support to be raised.

Though Devon and Cornwall Police do not contribute to the scheme directly, the officers require access to the data held through the system.

This is essential as it may form part of their investigation and evidence. NAST is obliged to assist officers in their enquiries and to withhold information to an enquiry could be classed as obstruction and it is surely in all our interests that partnerships like this are maintained and encouraged.

Recently the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, Alison Hernandez, visited the set-up of NAST and following that was able to provide a small amount of funding which enabled some of the monitors and cameras to be upgraded improving the images recorded in the data provided again assisting the police indirectly in their investigations.

I have heard in some quarters that people are concerned it is the case of ‘Big Brother’ watching over our every move. I answer this as a police advocate, councillor and individual, if you are doing nothing wrong why should you be worried about someone observing your actions.

In this day of technology, our every move and action is recorded in so many digitally active ways by the use of our cash, credit cards, mobile phones, iPads, online shopping or shopping in the town at our local retailers, which of course we would encourage everyone to do.

So, what NAST records in our town on CCTV, is minuscule in comparison and provides those of us who visit our vibrant town, to be assured that we are being looked after whether it be the day or the night-time economy.

NAST will continue to change that is for certain as time moves on, but its main principles will remain absolutely firm and that is to provide the town of Newton Abbot, our town, with the necessary security to enable us all to go about our daily lives knowing that should the inevitable happen, someone was there watching our backs and ready to assist in whatever way is required.

In conclusion, surely, we should thank all those working for NAST, in the control room, those manning the radios, to Austin’s, to those who form the officers of the committee, to NATC and others who provide the funding that enables what I consider to be a brilliant security system, bringing much-needed security to residents and businesses of Newton Abbot, and the surrounding areas.