NEW cameras will be installed in a Herefordshire town amid concerns over arson, vandalism, and anti-social behaviour.

A meeting of Ross-on-Wye town council's management committee this month heard that two new cameras are being installed in the town after a number of incidents, including an arson attack, in which "serious vandalism" took place, at the Rope Walk in the town in December.

The council's meeting minutes said, however, that the incident was closed before being properly investigated, and it was noted that a complaint would be made to follow up on this.

A front door has also been forced and threats made, the council was told, at the Basement Youth Trust in Ross.

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The meeting minutes revealed that the council had been advised that the culprits had been interviewed, but PCSO Claire Denton, who represented Ross-on-Wye's safer neighbourhood team at the meeting, said that no official police reports had been made regarding incidents at the BYT and therefore there was no evidence, without which the police cannot take action.

PCSO Claire Denton told the meeting that it appears it is only a small element causing trouble out of a large youth population and that the police are doing everything they can to stop this element within the town.

A reminder was issued to ensure calls to 101 are made so they are reported and are within police records.

Herefordshire Council is currently responsible for 42 CCTV cameras across the county, with six of these in Ross.

The Ross cameras are all in the town centre, in the Kyrle Street, Broad Street, High Street, and Henry Street areas.

In December last year, councillors voted to approve a maximum spend of £21,000 from the CCTV Capital Budget for the expansion of CCTV provision within the Herefordshire Council Service Level Agreement, for the purchase of two new cameras.

They will be located at the Ropewalk and at Caroline Symonds Gardens.

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