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Sgt Mark Hurry leading the police call for CCTV to help drive away criminal gangs from Malmesbury

a spate of burglaries and violent disorder has persuaded police and councillors in Malmesbury to seek funding for CCTV.

police and representatives from North Wiltshire District Council admitted at a meeting on April 9 that Malmesbury was suffering an epidemic of troubles caused by criminals from Swindon.

Shop owners, pub landlords, and worried residents agreed that a surveillance system was the best way to combat the problem.

The Malmesbury Community Safety Forum has agreed to ask the district council to fund three cameras costing about £22,500.

Councillor Ray Sanderson also suggested, with the support of the police, that they should set up a group of traders and licensees who would meet regularly, to monitor the crime rate.

Headed by Sgt Mark Hurry, from Wootton Bassett, the police hope CCTV will drive criminals from market towns.

He said: "What we have is a situation where they are coming in from Swindon and other places because they can't get away with it there any more.

"Shoplifters and thieves rely on anonymity and when that goes from one place they have to move on."

Wiltshire crime reduction officer Brian Northcote told the meeting: "We are in an epidemic at the moment with large gangs coming in from outside. I don't want to cause alarm.

"They are coming in from Swindon because their faces are known and they are hitting smaller market towns.

"We are asking you to join together with a partnership across the county. CCTV is not going to cure everything but it will go a long way towards it."

It was agreed that Coun Sanderson would apply for funding before the May 10 deadline, but some of the public feared three cameras would not be enough.

Mr Sanderson said: "We know three cameras aren't enough. hopefully it will be phase one of a bigger scheme."

If the money is awarded the cameras will go in Oxford Street on the corner of the town hall, on a lamppost above the travel agents to cover Market Cross and on a post outside Rajah's Indian to monitor Abbey Row.

Anyone who would like to make suggestions to councillors or the police are asked to write to the town council or comment on its new website at www.malmesbury.gov.uk

3:48pm Thursday 17th April 2008

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