Community hall gets grant for new CCTV
A COMMUNITY hall plagued by vandalism and anti-social behaviour has been given a cash boost to improve its CCTV system.
The Melrose Community Association, which runs Melrose Hall, in Abbey Road, Popley, Basingstoke, has been awarded a grant of £3,000 from Hampshire Police Authority's crime prevention committee to help pay for better CCTV equipment.
Richard King, caretaker at the hall, applied for the grant following repeated incidents with groups of youngsters congregating around the facility and creating an intimidating atmosphere.
He said: "We do have CCTV cameras at the moment, but we needed to update the system and our local beat officer told me about these grants - so I thought why not apply?'."
Mr King and other members of staff have been attacked by thugs who hang around outside the hall and he thought it was time to do something about it.
"The safety of other people is the main thing," he explained. "People are frightened to come here after dark, so I am doing everything I can, like the CCTV and cutting back all the bushes and trees, to try to make it less intimidating."
Mr King is in the process of getting quotes to complete the work and is keen to hear from anyone who can help with the further £3,000 needed to get the work done.
He is also keen to make it clear that he doesn't want to stop the youngsters using the facility, but that the trouble has to stop.
He said: "People can be sure that if incidents are captured on our CCTV cameras, it will be handed over to the police."
The authority's crime prevention committee handed out a total of £21,000 in grants to seven different initiatives across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Councillor Peter Kent Mason, chairman of the committee, said: "I am very pleased that the authority is able to help with these innovative and valuable projects."
Anyone who can help with the extra funding needed to complete the Popley project can call Mr King at the hall on 01256 420676.
4:02pm Friday 23rd May 2008
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CommentPosted by: BonzoDog, local on 8:18am Sat 24 May 08
I think it very important that we all know what's going on in our communities:
Anyone likely to cause trouble in this area should now know that these cameras will record your anti-social-behavior
.
My only fear is that the trouble will only move elsewhere.
I think it very important that we all know what's going on in our communities:
Anyone likely to cause trouble in this area should now know that these cameras will record your anti-social-behavior
.
My only fear is that the trouble will only move elsewhere.
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