Four security cameras are to be set up at Braintree Railway Station, which has been plagued with theft and vandalism.

The £46,000 scheme follows a campaign and 500-name petition from rail users.

David Bigg, chairman of Witham and Braintree Rail Users' Association, said it was "good news."

He said: "We hope this will deter crime and vandalism and make the station a safer place. But we also hope this will increase passenger confidence and make people feel safer, especially at night when there are no station staff."

The final £15,000 funding was released by the East Braintree Partnership Board.

Chairman David Mann said: "Since the beginning of the year there have been at least six recorded incidents of vehicles having windows smashed or items stolen."

The station has had problems with crime since a £1 million facelift in 1997. The CCTV scheme is joint funded by Great Eastern Railwayand Braintree Council. The cameras will be linked to the council control centre at Causeway House, Bocking End.

Plans are in hand to bid for Government funding crime-busting cameras at a Witham industrial estate. It is hoped to extend the present town centre scheme to Freebournes Business Park following a meeting between town councillors and businesspeople.

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