TRUSTEES of the Victorian Arcade in Okehampton are leading the way with CCTV in the town, with a four-camera system now operating in the shopping centre.
Within a day of being installed, the cameras were already serving their purpose and arcade traders are confident they will be a major factor in deterring crime.
Arcade trustee Richard Appleby, of Millennium Music, said that although crime was not high in the arcade it was a potential target because it was covered over.
?This is a central site and the main crime we suffer from is broken windows,? he said. ?We have recently improved the lighting which works well with the CCTV as the pictures are as bright as day.?
Mr Appleby said the CCTV would be paid for over a five-year period at a cost of 75p a week to each trader: ?We think that is good value because as well as peace of mind for us, it also gives a good impression to shoppers and other people who walk through the arcade.
?For the past few years this place has looked run down and shabby but now we have some excellent new shops and the whole place has been redecorated.?
The camera system is recorded 24 hours a day on a computer system but Mr Appleby added the level of crime was not such that it would be monitored 24 hours a day.
?We can watch it live but if something happens when we are not there, we can easier find the relevant footage or log into the system at home with the necessary passwords,? he added.
A town-wide CCTV scheme is being considered at the moment for Okehampton.