A SUFFOLK market town looks set to install a surveillance system in its historic centre.

Woodbridge Town Council has given the green light for CCTV cameras to be put up in two locations - proposed as Market Hill and the Thoroughfare.

The issue was discussed at a meeting on Tuesday night and despite concerns from some councillors it was granted the go ahead.

Although the town council would not be asked to contribute towards the initial installation it would be expected to maintain the CCTV system in the future and pay for the renewal of any equipment.

The idea was put forward by Pc Karle Howard, of the Woodbridge and Safer Neighbourhood Team, and Sean Casey, store manager at the town’s Budgens supermarket.

Addressing the meeting on Tuesday night Pc Howard said: “The system would be viewed and down loaded after an incident. For example, if there was a purse theft in the town centre then we would go and have a look.

“The aim is to reduce crime in the town centre and make it a safer place, so that if something does happen then there is a chance to detect it.”

Concerns were raised about the cost of maintenance and the likelihood of the cameras being vandalised.

Councillor Nigel Barratt added: “I am opposed. We are the most over-surveillanced country in the entire world and it doesn’t appear to be doing much good. The Met Police themselves admit it has very little impact. I do not think we should add to this over-surveillanced country by putting up more cameras.”

Mr Casey assured members any costs following the initial installation would be minimal, while Pc Howard said a camera on the town’s library which had been installed for two years had never been damaged.

Other councillors said it would be in the public interest to install CCTV and following a discussion it was voted to agree the proposal.

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