CCTV for two more towns?

1:00pm Thursday 21st February 2008

Comments (1)   Have your say »

TWO more New Forest town centres could soon be protected by crime-busting closed circuit television cameras.

CCTV cameras set up in Ringwood, Lymington and Totton in 2002 and linked to a central control room at New Forest District Council's headquarters at Appletree Court, Lyndhurst, have contributed to limiting crime on the streets.

Now the district council is to begin talks with New Milton Town Council and Hythe & Dibden Parish Council about their requirements and joint funding schemes.

The district council will also liaise with police and community and business organisations in its bid to ensure the best locations are selected.

Council leader Cllr Mel Kendall said: "CCTV has played an important part in keeping our core shopping areas safe from crime and vandalism as well as reducing the fear of crime.

"I believe we need to expand this to those areas where there is sufficient justification for the installation outlay and ongoing annual charges.

"Thus we are seriously investigating New Milton and Hythe with a view to setting up the necessary procurement process."

Crime and disorder portfolio-holder Cllr Goff Beck sounded a warning: "The provision of funding is obviously a factor and it will be impossible to meet everyone's demand for CCTV.

"We must ensure that should any money be spent it gives communities in the New Forest the best return in terms of safety and value for money.

"It is very early days and there's a lot of work to be done over several months before any final decisions are made regarding camera locations."