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Library staff in Calne are so intimidated by the threat of attack by unruly teenagers that they want more CCTV cameras installed.

And Calne Crime Prevention Panel has backed their call for more surveillance in Harris Court, a notorious trouble spot.

coun John Ireland, who chairs the panel, said: "Harris Court has become the centre of the antisocial behaviour in the town centre and there is evidence of criminal activity taking place there on a regular basis.

"If the CCTV can be extended to cover the black spots in Harris Court, it would go a long way towards eliminating many of the problems at present being experienced by all of the occupants, both business and residential, in Harris Court."

Calne Library, on Beech Terrace, the trouble spot.

Librarian Jenny Wilcockson told members at a panel meeting on March 26 that antisocial behaviour outside the library was getting worse and staff were too intimidated to break up gangs.

Ms Wilcockson said there had been a series of abusive incidents outside the library with gangs of youths causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

She said one member of staff who had told a group of teenagers to move away was shouted and sworn at and she feared he was going to be attacked.

In a letter to Calne deputy town clerk, Daryl Saville Brown, Coun Ireland has called for the backing of the town council.

Mrs Saville Brown, who recently announced she was applying for funding for a mobile CCTV unit, said Harris Court was a trouble spot.

She said: "Residents of Harris Court would benefit from this scheme at the moment but often trouble moves across Calne and this would be a cost-effective scheme."

Sgt Mark Rees of Calne Police said: "The recent revamp of CCTV in Calne is an excellent way of deterring antisocial behaviour in the town.

"We are working with local agencies and the town council to improve the CCTV in Calne and hope to address this issue."

The revamp has upgraded the monitoring system to flat screens and will link traders though a council launched radio scheme.

Traders will be able to rent radios from the town council for £1 a day linking them to the CCTV centre, police and other traders.

8:08am Thursday 3rd April 2008

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