Crooks will soon find themselves caught on camera when new CCTV cameras are added to the crime-fighting weaponry in a village street.

Two spy cameras are to be installed in Ingatestone High Street in a bid to stem a massive crimewave.

Residents no longer sleep easy as crime in the parish has rocketed by 50 per cent since the police station closed two years ago.

The addition to the armoury will cost in the region of £35,000. Essex Police are to contribute £25,000 towards the scheme with Ingatestone and Fryerning Parish Council providing an additional £7,500.

Businesses are also be asked to give financial backing to the cameras project. The crime-busting initiative was revealed at Brentwood Borough Council environment and transport committee on Monday.

Initial talks had suggested a four camera system would meet the needs of the area but the project has been reduced to provide two cameras because of the high costs involved.

The Ingatestone cameras will be an extension to the existing CCTV system currently being operated and monitored from Brentwood Town Hall. They will bring the technical capacity of the system almost to its limit. After that there will be space for only one more camera before monitoring centre needs costly improvements.

A report by Brentwood Council officers stated: "The project is a natural extension of the existing CCTV system operating within the borough and will add to the deterrent effect on crime that the installation of crime has seen elsewhere."

Assurances were given that the cameras will be located in a public place and not be covert. Signs will inform people of their presence and they will be operated in accordance with council guidelines.

The document concluded: "The system acts as a visual record of events and it remains for Essex Police to respond to requests to attend incidents as they see fit. Access to the recorded tapes will only be given to Essex Police."

Ingatestone and Fryerning Parish Council say they are willing to support the ongoing annual costs of £5,000 to maintain the cameras and rent the transmission system.

But parish officials are asking Brentwood Council to guarantee they will underwrite any extra costs and not reduce the annual parish council grant.

Published Tuesday December 18, 2001