A SECOND security camera in Melksham has gone on-line as police try and crack down on town centre thugs, skateboarding youths and vandals.

Located near Lovejoys in High Street, the camera covers Bank Street, Lowbourne and High Street with footage recorded 24 hours a day.

The problem of skateboarders terrorising shoppers on the town's main high streets has been raised in recent weeks.

Camera footage will be used to establish the scale of the problem.

The old NHS clinic in Lowbourne and well-known trouble spots near Buds bar and the kebab shops will also be covered.

The first camera is located in Church Street.

Civic leaders hope the move is a step closer to a fully comprehensive security camera system for Melksham.

Mayor Vic Oakman said smash-and-grab raids and the problem of drunken yobs smashing shop windows could be resolved if Melksham started preparing a bid for a Home Office security system grant.

He said: "It is no secret that we want a proper CCTV system in Melksham. Nobody is monitoring the cameras 24 hours at present.

"At the moment windows are being smashed in and shops are at risk of smash-and-grab raids. We have to look at the cost and the funding issues at future meetings."