BUSINESS bosses have agreed to install CCTV cameras in their market town in a bid to catch persistent troublemakers.

The number of cases of anti-social behaviour in Saxmundham has increased in recent months.

Residents have become increasingly concerned at the spate of burglaries and acts of vandalism.

The Businesses of Saxmundham (BoS) has now unanimously agreed to install a CCTV system to catch those who are responsible.

Bob Foyers, chairman of BoS, said: “We feel it is time the local community did what it could to drive out these unwelcome elements from our town.

“We must stress this will be a retrospective system. There will not be anyone watching, no ‘Big Brother’.

“It will comprise a series of cameras which will record the centre of town and only when something happens will the disks be examined for criminal evidence.

“Saxmundham is a terrific town with so much to offer and BoS is leading the way to ensure our residents and visitors continue to enjoy the diverse mix of shops and other businesses here.”

The project will be financed by the business association, individual companies, personal contributions and match funding.

Maddie Gallop, clerk to Saxmundham Town Council, said: “This is something we fully support.

“It is a minority causing so many problems and we want to nip it in the bud.”

Sergeant Daye Goddard, of Saxmundham and Framlingham Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT), added: “CCTV can enhance community safety and those who do nothing wrong have nothing to fear.

“But if an incident does occur, we then have the opportunity to view footage which may help identify an offender, proving what happened.”

The cameras would not need planning permission – unless they were installed on the side of a listed building – but consent would be needed from the owners of the buildings they intend to put them on, or the county council if they are to go on street lights.

For those interested in contributing to the project to get the CCTV cameras installed, please contact Mr Foyers at the Bistro at the Deli on 01728 605607.