OKEHAMPTON Town Council has agreed to install CCTV in Simmons Park subsequent to recent concerns raised by residents regarding their safety.

Following a meeting held by the Okehampton CCTV Working Group that identified a contractor and the additional work required for a possible CCTV installation in the park, the council’s Policy and Resources Committee has approved the proposal and additional funding.

As the cost of the project would exceed the working group’s ear-marked fund of £4,199, the group requested the approval of expenditure of £3,500 from the council’s reserves fund.

The committee has approved the expenditure, and the council is now looking at the logistics of the installation, which is estimated to cost £7,699.

The CCTV Working Group of Okehampton met back in September and had agreed to request a product trial from the primary contractor selected.

The group noted that the contract quotation together with the provision of additional items of equipment and electrical services required prior to installation would exceed the earmarked fund available for the purpose, therefore requested the additional funds, which have now been approved.

Okehampton CCTV Working Group together with the Parks Committee have been striving to get CCTV in Simmons Park for a long time and it was announced this week that the project is well underway.

Cllr Christine Marsh, chair of the Parks Committee, said: ‘The wheels are already in motion. We’ve had more pressure put on us by recent events, so we will be going ahead to install CCTV in the park.

‘We have decided upon regular CCTV as well as specialist wildlife CCTV to catch the hot spot areas. The installation of CCTV will be a great asset to the town.’

The progress of the council’s project follows increased concerns raised by residents who have said that the park currently lacks security.

After an increase of incidents involving anti-social behaviour in the park, parents say they have been in touch with the police regarding reports of gangs threatening their children and committing acts of violence.

Father-of-three Sean Sandercock was so concerned by the reported incidents that he set up the Facebook page ‘Simmons Park Police/Parent Patrol’ last week. Since then more than 420 Okehampton residents have joined the Facebook group — which also launched an online petition with the aim of getting CCTV installed in the park and more police patrolling the area.

Sean said: ‘I am pleased that the council is making progress as CCTV in the park is a priority. I think there should also be more police patrolling the area too as there are too many incidents happening in the park involving violence, bullying, verbal abuse and intimidation. We must do something about it!’

‘The security and safety of the park is a matter that effects the entire community. It is such a beautiful park and with security cameras I believe people will feel safer using it.’

At a town council meeting held on Monday (October 31), Cllr Tony Leech suggested that the council should also consider installing CCTV in the town centre. He said that following a meeting with camera technicians and advisors, the cost of CCTV in the town centre would be around £39,000.