Campaign grows for CCTV in Alresford (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Campaign grows for CCTV in Alresford

10:46am Thursday 19th January 2012 in Alresford By Andrew Napier

SUPPORT is growing for CCTV in Alresford town centre.

Spurred by a spate of Christmas vandalism, town councillor Natalie Carpenter is conducting a survey of the 100 businesses in the main commercial district of West-East-Broad streets, The Dean, Jacklyns Lane and the railway station.

In the survey form, she wrote: "As a councillor and resident this (vandalism) concerns me very much as the perpetrators have not been brought to book and Alresford is in danger of losing its calm and well-ordered feel."

She told the town council: "It is not about spying on people. It would be an aid to the police."

The recent problem saw vandalism in West Street, The Dean and Jacklyns Lane. "If we had CCTV it would have picked them up and we may well know who these people were. We live in a safe, happy town. It would be nice to maintain that."

There is overwhelming support for CCTV among businesses, she said. Around half of the 100 have responded to the survey since it was launched on December 30.

Councillors agreed to further investigate CCTV including costs.

For more than a dozen Alresford stories see this week's Hampshire Chronicle, out today, January 19.