FRESH calls have been made for closed circuit television cameras to be installed in Watchet - recent victim of two armed robberies - with proper 24-hour monitoring to stamp out vandalism.

The appeal comes as police presence in the town is about to be stepped up with the force's office on The Esplanade being properly equipped and manned for longer hours.

The rising levels of vandalism in the town were discussed at the Watchet Regeneration Partnership meeting last week where the parents of the troublesome youths were told to "hang their heads in shame".

A bid for CCTV in Watchet was rejected by the Government earlier this year along with all of the other bids for West Somerset.

Businessman and town councillor John Richards said he felt that Watchet's CCTV scheme became "lost in the system" when it was taken on by West Somerset District Council.

He said: "CCTV is important and it should come back as a Watchet-only bid because it got lost in the system when it became a district-wide initiative.

"CCTV would make people feel a little bit more secure but we need a monitored system and not just a camera recording an incident."

To install a dozen or so infra-red cameras around the town would have cost in the region of £100,000 plus £10,000 a year for it to be monitored in a control room in Bridgwater.

Vandalism has long been a thorn in Watchet's side and the creation of the £5.1 million marina has attracted more trouble. Since it opened in July, youths have attacked boats and caused disturbances on The Esplanade.

Tom Head, of the Watchet Boat Owners' Association, said the youths were causing too much damage and destruction in the town.

"This town should hang its head in shame, especially the youths and their parents, because seats are always being broken on The Esplanade and the lights smashed on the West Pier.

"Then, on top of this, we have them climbing on top of the youth club and it is not just younger children because 15 or 16-year-olds are teaching the younger ones to cause havoc."

Meanwhile, the town council decided on Monday to sign an agreement with the police to upgrade their Esplanade office and rejected plans by the district council to merge the police office with the tourist information centre.

The town council will be responsible for maintaining the building while the police take responsibility for the interior.

The office will be used by residents wishing to report crimes and make statements rather than them having to go to Williton.

It will house a proper counter, police equipment and a computer and be linked to a control centre. An improved sign will be situated outside and the property will be fully alarmed.

The council will pay the business rates, insurance and part of the electricity bill.