Town leaders have decided against paying for CCTV in Ilkley town centre because of the cost and low crime rates.

Ilkley Parish Council debated a recent call by one of its members for closed-circuit television monitoring The Grove, but rejected the idea.

It would cost about £10,000 for each camera installed – with a minimum of four cameras recommended – plus thousands of pounds more for associated costs.

Parish councillor Rory Marshall, who was not at Monday’s meeting, recently asked the council to look into the possibility of funding CCTV coverage in Ilkley town centre, following vandalism to the Jubilee Lights.

Coun Marshall led the scheme to secure the all-year decorative lights on trees in the town centre.

But other councillors felt they could not justify spending on CCTV.

Councillor Mike Gibbons questioned the effectiveness of CCTV in any prosecutions, and the cost of installing and maintaining the cameras would be more than the cost of the Jubilee Lights themselves, said Councillor Stephen Butler.

Coun Gibbons highlighted the problem of trees in Ilkley town centre restricting the view of security cameras.

The Council also heard that civil liberties issues were raised by residents when CCTV had previously been debated.