COMMUNITY leaders behind a new action group set up to tackle vandalism and anti-social behaviour in Watchet are being urged to install CCTV to monitor trouble hotspots. The recently formed Watchet Forum - a multi- agency group with representatives from the police, youth service and the local crime and disorder reduction partnership - will hold its first meeting today (Friday). The forum will be at the centre of efforts to deal with a spate of incidents over the past few months which has seen windows smashed, property and vehicles damaged and buildings daubed with graffiti. Watchet Town Council, which has been instrumental in setting up the forum, has already voiced its concerns over the current situation, concerns which have been echoed by the town's business and traders' group WACET and local residents. Now local boat owner and author Tony James, who has an office overlooking Watchet's Marina, has joined the debate by calling on community leaders to resurrect an abandoned scheme for a CCTV system. He said there were genuine fears that with the approach of the holiday season, hooliganism and the threat of intimidation by groups of youngsters would discourage visitors to both the marina and the town. Mr James was involved in an action group set up almost four years ago which attempted to bring CCTV to the town. "In 2003 both the police and the crime and disorder partnership believed that CCTV would deter would- be offenders and improve the chances of successful prosecution," he said. "Over 700 local people signed a petition urging that cameras be installed in the town and harbour areas. "The local MP backed the scheme, Watchet Town Council had previously earmarked money for CCTV and Home Office funding could have been available. "A questionnaire showed that nearly 80 per cent of those who replied wanted cameras installed." Mr James said the proposal was also backed by a range of local organisations and investigations revealed that a scheme could have cost as little as £50,000. "But nothing happened and vandalism, which abhors a vacuum, is back. "Those of us who warned that this would be the result of non-action get no pleasure from saying, 'we told you so' but instead we urge both town and district councils to think again and to take the lead. "CCTV won't cure the problem but it could make an enormous difference." Town council chairman Cllr Dave Westcott said the forum would be discussing a range of proposals and suggestions to tackle the current problems. "Personally, I would be 100 per cent behind having CCTV if the system could be monitored," said Cllr Westcott. "But the town council no longer has any money set aside for this and has certainly not budgeted for it in the coming year. "Unless the district or county councils or the Government can magically find some money, then I'm not sure what could be done. "But the forum will be talking about a range of issues and ways to resolve the problems. "We hope this new group will help focus the minds of the whole community." West Somerset Council's community officer Peter Hughes, who will also be involved in the forum, said he and neighbourhood police Sergeant Neil Dillon had already met with town councillors to discuss the recent rise in anti-social behaviour. "We really need to engage with the community to make sure that local people are part of the solution to the current issues," said Mr Hughes. "The forum will provide the perfect opportunity for us all to work in partnership for the benefit of the community."
