Tourist hotspot Ellesmere to get more security cameras after vandals hit buildings

Civic leaders said police are investigating after a spate of vandalism in Ellesmere's town centre. Ian Ward, the mayor, said there have been reports of people damaging shop windows and ripping off drainpipes.

Now Lincoln McMullan, chairman of All Together Ellesmere, which leases the market hall, is installing his own CCTV cameras to cover the market hall and his shop, The Signtists in Scotland Street.

He said: "Two shop windows have recently been broken in Cross Street and pipes have been pulled off some properties and shops around the town. Someone or a group of people have kicked the piping off my shop and damaged the window a few times.

"It is a small element of people doing it."

He added: "I believe there are about nine CCTV cameras currently in the town and there are currently some blind spots.

"There is not a huge problem of vandalism in Ellesmere but when it does happen it can be a huge cost to the home or business owner. It increases insurance and is mindless vandalism. These people need to be taken in and charged."

Councillor Ward said he was concerned about the recent reports.

The issue was discussed at the latest town council meeting held on Monday. He said: "

The police are aware and are taking steps to eradicate and deal with the situation. We are in talks with the police to find out if areas of the town are not covered by CCTV."

West Mercia Police were unavailable to comment.