A call for CCTV in the Boarded Barns and Melbourne areas of Chelmsford was made by Labour councillor Bill Horslen at last week's borough council meeting.

Cllr Horslen said that he wanted to raise the issues of crime and problems associated with crime in north Chelmsford, particularly around the shopping centres.

"Can I ask when we are likely to see some moves towards getting CCTV into the Boarded Barns and Melbourne?" he said.

"We are having consistent problems with anti-social behaviour there and we have a lack of community policing."

Cllr Christine Barrett, chairman of the community health and safety committee, said: "We are aware of the difficulties in that area.

"It must be remembered that shopping parades in that area, and in other areas, are of a small, discreet, nature. A lot of research needs to be done to determine the best way to police these areas.

"I hope we will be able to move forward in real partnership with the police and other agencies."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.