A LONG awaited CCTV camera installed in a Callington car park to curb problems of anti social behaviour has been relocated to Newquay just weeks after it was put up.

But hopes are high that a permanent camera can be bought for the town if money is obtained under the police and crime commissioner Tony Hogg's small grants scheme.

The camera installed in the car park, which has become a meeting place for youngsters in cars, was a collaboration between the police and the town council after numerous complaints from neighbouring residents of noise and intimidating behaviour late at night.

The problems have been going on for a long while and it was considered a camera would be preferable to closing the car park at night, which councillors felt would push the problem elsewhere.

Callington town clerk Helen Downdall said the 360-degree surveillance camera was a mobile one used by the police in areas of need: 'It was on loan from the police but we believed it would be in Callington for a while.

'It is unfortunate that it has been taken away again so quickly, but it seems there was a greater need for it in Newquay.'

The camera was working as a deterrent but now it has gone the problems have flared up again. There is now a push to get the town's own CCTV camera for the park.

Helen said applications for funding from the PCC small grants scheme had to come from community groups not the town council and neighbourhood watch in Callington had expressed an interest.

The grants of up to £5,000, which will be awarded twice in the next 12 months, are to help make people feel safer and reduce crime. The closing date for the first round of awards is October 31.

The town council will be asked to support the application and maintain and provide ongoing costs for the camera through the precept.

Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Mike Tag said many elderly people used the free car park and often when they returned to get their cars at night they found youngsters drinking and doing handbrake turns.

'It is quite intimidating for local people and for visitors,' he said. 'Tony Hogg and his police plan is about reducing alcohol-related behaviour, anti-social behaviour, violence and intimidation.

'We are losing police officers but if we can use modern technology to take its place it may reduce offending and make people feel safer.'