New crime fight weapon

11:42am Friday 25th April 2008

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CORSHAM police sergeant Steve McGrath is delighted a mobile CCTV system has been launched in the town.

Now both police and council officers will be able to view pictures that will be beamed back to the control room from the camera that can be moved arond the town.

Sergeant McGrath said: "CCTV surveillance is fantastic - it will be an excellent tool to add to our armoury.

"It will help to catch criminals quicker and lower our crime."

Alan Bosley, the chairman of Corsham Town Council, presented the equipment to his fellow town councillors and organisations who helped with the installation, on Friday.

The £16,000 system was recommended in June last year. Half of the funds came from a grant provided by North Wiltshire District Council and the other half from the town council's budget.

Deputy town clerk Peter Biggins said: "The system has been put in place to deter people from committing crime. The big towns surrounding us have CCTV systems including Calne and Chippenham."

The camera can be moved around the town depending on where police decide are the most important hotspots for crime.

The images are relayed back via a high quality Broadband link to screens at both the town hall and the police station.

Coun Jasvir Singh, who owns Barnett Brothers newsagents in Corsham said: " This CCTV should act as a good deterrent for people who intend to commit crime. They will think twice before vandalising or burgling shops and houses.

"Hopefully incidents like the tyre slashing at South Street will stop with this new CCTV."