By John HowardA TOWN'S closed circuit television system could be extended to cover a school that suffered £20,000 damage during a vandalism spree.Stowmarket currently has 11 security cameras covering the town centre, installed about four years ago at a cost of about £400,000.

By John Howard

A TOWN'S closed circuit television system could be extended to cover a school that suffered £20,000 damage during a vandalism spree.

Stowmarket currently has 11 security cameras covering the town centre, installed about four years ago at a cost of about £400,000.

Now the town council is discussing where an extra camera could be installed, at a cost of about £30,000, if financial contributions can be secured from companies wanting to develop in the area.

The town council will discuss the possible sites tonight and the Stowmarket Town Centre Crime and Disorder Reduction Group has recommended the new camera should cover the recreation ground and middle school.

Group chairman, Joanne Rogers, said: “Our first choice is covering the recreation ground, Iliffe Way, near the memorial gates on to the recreation ground, and to keep an eye on the middle school and skateboard park.

“Local people are concerned about syringes in the area too and this is the area of town we would like to see a new camera cover. The second choice is a mobile system, but that is fraught with technical and human rights issues.”

But Emily Adie, deputy town clerk, said the money for the camera had yet to be found.

Vandals caused £20,000 of damage last year to musical instruments computer equipment textbooks classrooms and student displays at Stowmarket Middle School.

john.howard@eadt.co.uk