Mobile camera plan for town's hotspots?

A PORTABLE CCTV camera could be put up at hot spots in Portishead - to crack down on potential troublemakers.Portishead Local Action Team (LAT) is to consider bidding for funding to purchase a special mobile camera in a bid to target would-be criminals.The suggestion follows a visit by the team to North Somerset's CCTV centre where members were shown the latest in camera technology.The camera could be used at locations in the town such as the Lake Grounds and West Hill where gangs of youths gather at night.Portishead LAT chairman Geraldine Box said: "There have been problems with vandalism in the West Hill area."Shop owners have put out advertising boards only for them to be damaged."We could also use it in other problem areas where young people gather."It would be an excellent tool to use in the fight against crime and act as a very good deterrent to would-be criminals." Mrs Box suggested the special camera could be funded through bids to organisations including the lottery and town council.Mrs Box said: "This is something we are going to take on as an LAT project and look at ways of getting it funded."LAT member and chairman of Slade Road Action Group Reyna Knight said: "I think a mobile CCTV camera could come in very handy in certain areas of the town."There is no doubt behaviour in the town has improved of late, but this could act as a deterrent to anyone thinking of behaving antisocially."It could be used to target certain areas if and when it is necessary."Portishead police sergeant Terry Scoble said: "We have been engaging very well with the young people and reduced drinking at the Lake Grounds quite considerably."We do not consider it to be a hot spot and we do not have problems there at the moment."We do have vehicles equipped with surveillance equipment which we can use across the sector should there be a need or a demand."At the moment there is no need or demand.