A BEEFED-UP CCTV system and two new cameras are to be ordered by Studley Parish Council after tarmac at the Crooks Lane play park was vandalised for the third time in a matter of weeks.
Councillors were aghast after paying out more than £700 to get it repaired after it was targeted twice by vandals, including one case of arson, to find it had this week been set on fire again.
“We have to say enough is enough,” said Coun Brian Dixon. “If no one is going to sort this out then the parish council has to sort it out. If this is going to cost us it will be cheaper in the long run as there will be no end to the costs unless we stop it now.”
Council chairman Coun Paul Beaman, an expert in CCTV, told members two additional cameras and a recorder to support both those and existing cameras could be had for around £1,500 – with the capability of producing pictures good enough to identify the culprits.
“The picture quality these days is incredible,” he said. “They will have a long range with infra red and zoom and councillors will be able to check on them on their smartphones via the internet.
“We can also link it to the Stratford system so they can keep an eye on it too.”
Councillors agreed unanimously to put the contract out to tender to get best value.
