New camera to keep eye on Torquay prom

Safeguard Security have unveiled a new community service beach webcam to enable water and beach users to log in and see the tide height, sea conditions and local weather from the comfort of their phone or computer.
It will be 'hosted' by promenade business TQ Beerworks to primarily watch over Torre Abbey Sands.
​​Founded in​ 1988, ​Safegard Security​ is a leading South Devon electronic security ​business​. Owner Marc Heaselden said the company used to have a camera at Preston but that ceased with the closure of its 'host' business.
He added: "We wanted to find another site which would service the water-using community. Fortunately, Zimena Percival, from the Torquay Sea Swimmers and TQ Beerworks facilitated a new site that would enable users from all over the world to log in and view Torre Abbey Sands beach and the surrounding coastal area.
"This provides an instant reference to the tide, sea state, local weather and even how busy the beach is, for everyone who needs or wants to know. We are very happy to have been able to once again provide this important service to the community, and would like to thank TQ Beerworks and Zimena for giving us the opportunity to serve the local community this important facility."
Todd Fullarton, of TQ Beerworks, said: "Marc at Safegard was already covering our CCTV so when he and Zimena asked if we'd be happy to host this brilliant new initiative, and we could only say yes. Some of our staff are water-sports users and are super grateful to be able to look at the feed every day to check the state of the sea."
Torbay Council beach manager Simon Pinder said: "It is always useful to have webcams at our coastal locations so that visitors and locals can view the sea conditions before making the journey. It can also be very useful to me to see how busy the beaches are so that we can alter services levels if needed. I am sure this new addition to the privately set up webcams covering Torbay beaches will be very welcome to both visiting and local beach users, so I congratulate the local swimming community represented by Zimena, Safeguard Security and TQ Beerworks for getting this up and running."
Webcams on beaches additionally provide valuable real-time weather and wave updates, offering essential information to surfers, boaters, and other water sports enthusiasts. By observing the live feed, they can plan their activities more effectively, ensuring their safety and making the most of their time at the beach.
Public safety is a top priority for beach authorities and webcam feeds enable potential hazards, crowded areas, rip currents, and other safety concerns to be identified promptly. This information allows them to take preventive measures and respond quickly to emergencies, significantly reducing the risks associated with beach-goers' activities.