New CCTV camera to watch troubled area of Oswestry

Those living in the Ambleside and Green Bank area of the town say there has been a recent increase in burglaries, vandalism and nuisance behaviour.

They say part-night lighting in the residential streets and footpaths running through the area could be to blame.

After a public meeting at Holy Trinity School this week, organised by Councillor Martin Bennett, Oswestry's mayor, Councillor John Gareth Jones, and the chairman of the CCTV committee Councillor Peter Cherrington, both pledged to have a camera installed in the Coney Green footpath area as soon as possible.

Oswestry's new-look CCTV was officially switched on by police and crime commissioner for West Mercia, Bill Longmore, on Monday. A new camera will bring to total in the town to 16.

At the meeting police InspectorRik Klair said that he would get involved in advising Shropshire Council if plans for an official footpath and cycleway along the railway line at the back of the homes came to fruition.

Inspector Klair said that although there had been a recent increase in burglaries in Oswestry there was nothing to show that the incidents were related to the "part-night burning" which saw footway lighting in many residential areas of the town turned off between midnight and 5am earlier this year.

John Jones, one of the residents, called on the police to put more visible presence on the streets.

"It would be helpful if the police or PCSOs would walk around the area and be seen in the area," he said. "It would help allay fears."

Mr Cherrington said: "The mayor and myself have been talking to the police and crime commissioner for West Mercia Bill Longmore and we believe that the best way ahead in the short term is to get a CCTV camera sited across the Coney Green and railway area. We have already identified two possible positions for that camera."

Oswestry mayor, Councillor John Gareth Jones, pledged that the camera would go up as soon as possible.