New hopesfor CCTVcamera at busy shops

The first joint meeting about the crime prevention measure for Aldwick Road ended positively.

Installing a camera would cost about 30,000.

The session was attended by five Aldwick parish councillors, Bognor town councillor Ken Scutt, police inspector John Merrick and police community support officer Nick Baker as well as Aldwick Business Partnership chairman Tim Holland.

The need for CCTV coverage was established at the meeting. Aldwick Parish Council clerk Ron Palmer is investigating the cost of installation and the potential locations for one, or even two, cameras.

He will report his findings to a follow-up meeting next month.

Mr Holland said the partnership's members were encouraged by the widespread support for a camera.

'This will not only be of benefit to the business community but also to the resident population,' he stated.

'It will be up to individual members of the partnership if they want to contribute towards its cost.'

The partnership has about 30 members from the 60 businesses in the Aldwick Road area.

The Observer has reported for the past few years the business owners' calls for a camera as a result of vandalism, damage, the gathering of groups of youths and issues related to drugs, alcohol and thefts.

It has yet to be decided who will pay for the camera.

The police no longer contribute to the installation but the force does cover ongoing maintenance costs.