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CCTV cameras in Alresford would help catch vandals in the town, according to a community support officer.

Melissa Panter told a meeting of New Alresford Town Council last Thursday that there had been a lot of criminal damage in West Street and Broad Street recently, and that cameras would help in finding out who was behind it.

Town council chairman Cllr Ken Yeldham said he would canvass opinion of the town before making a decision.

"It's one of those things where we'll have to open up a big debate," he said."But it's a difficult one.

"I think some of the town's older people would feel more secure with it."

But speaking after the meeting, Insp Jim Pegler said he was sceptical about the need for cameras in a place like Alresford.

He said: "I don't want to be at odds with my police community support officer.

"But if we get a picture of the offenders, can we identify them and will this lead to a conviction?

"There is a deterrent effect, but I would not be convinced about the argument for it."

Insp Pegler, in charge of policing in the east ofWinchester, revealed that since the start of the year there had been 38 instances of criminal damage. Of these, seven were committed in West Street or Broad Street, five of which would have been in the view of any cameras.

He added: "It will be a decision for the town council, whether the expense is worth the possibility of detecting these offenders.

"It's an intrusion into people's lives and is it proportionate to the need of detecting these criminals?"

Simon Evans, owner of The Naked Grape and chairman of the town's chamber of commerce, told the meeting he had already investigated the possibility of installing his own cameras, and that he had been quoted around £45,000 for an "all-singing, all-dancing" system.

Other town councillors were against the installation of CCTV.

Cllr John Cattle, an expoliceman, said: "The best form of CCTV is police on the street. The police cover we get in Alresford is an absolute joke - it's shocking."

Cllr Roy Gentry, said: "I have concerns about CCTV because the whole town is a conservation area and we even have to get planning permission to put hanging baskets up!

"I can't believe we'd want to contaminate the town with CCTV cameras.

"It seems we'd go to a lot of expense and not address residents' concerns."

*What do you think? Add your comments below.

10:50am Thursday 17th July 2008

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