Traders are considering setting up their own CCTV system after being refused government funding because there isn't enough crime in Cleckheaton.

The Government denied the town CCTV last year, saying crime figures were not bad enough to warrant its introduction.

But Spenborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce is now investigating the possibility of going it alone in a bid to deter criminals. Member and former Spen councillor Gordon North said certain shops, persistently targeted by shoplifters, could benefit.

"Cameras are very cheap these days and to install a system on the top of properties and have volunteers to monitor it while they're doing other duties would cost peanuts," he said. "It would be very much cheaper than the sort of super deluxe system they are talking about.

"It just needs the commitment from people because it has to be professionally monitored. It would act as a deterrent even if it is not catching criminals at the time."

It is hoped the cameras would stamp out crime, vandalism, drug-dealing and drunkenness in the town centre, despite not being monitored from a central unit in Huddersfield like other town centre cameras.

Members heard that cameras cost £5,000 each and £15,000 a year to monitor in Huddersfield. A minimum of three to five cameras were needed.

Chamber president Keith Joplin said he was unsure whether alternative funding was available to help pay for the scheme, but he would investigate. He also urged people to report crimes, however small, to the police because it would push up crime figures.

Members were concerned that criminals were targeting Cleckheaton because nearby Dewsbury and Batley have CCTV coverage. One member said a thief who had tried to steal from a Cleckheaton jewellers said the town had been chosen because it was "an easy touch".

Members felt that because their system would not be monitored in Huddersfield they would not be able to catch people in the act, but could trawl through videos to give to police as evidence.

"Once the word gets round the criminal fraternity that Cleckheaton has CCTV, it will do the job," said one member.

PC Graham Eaves, police partnership officer based at Dewsbury, said they would like Cleckheaton to have CCTV, but it would still have to be run by Kirklees Council.

"You've got to have a real quality system that can be used in court," he said. "If traders are looking at running it, how are they going to run a business at the same time? They will have to investigate any complaints and the scheme has got to have credibility. It wouldn't have public support if it was a half-baked system."