Closed-circuit TV cameras have had a phenomenal impact - in Keighley and around the country - in the fight against crime. In our own town centre the presence of CCTV has played a major role in identifying and apprehending offenders. Also, and perhaps more significantly, it has helped combat the fear of crime and afforded the public some peace of mind. The "big brother" fears which existed in certain quarters during the formative days of eye-in-the-sky cameras are now largely consigned to the history books.

And this newspaper is proud of the fact that some five years ago it was a major player in the successful multi-agency campaign which brought the crime-busting initiative to Keighley town centre. The undoubted success of CCTV makes it all the more scandalous that innocent members of the public are now being told they face a five-year wait for action at one of the town's car crime hotspots.

West Yorkshire transport chiefs announced this week that they intend introducing hi-tech security cameras at the notorious Keighley railway station car park as part of a county-wide plan. But it could be 2005 before anything is done. Two years ago Metro had the chance to join with Bradford council and the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway to pay for that site to be linked to the town-centre CCTV system, but it declined and the plan was shunted into the sidings.

Now it is the public - those people who park up to use and consequently financially support the rail network - which is paying the price. The continued acts of theft and vandalism will understandably drive people away from that part of Keighley and away from the railway, and this at a time when we are being urged to make more use of public transport.

Metro has a duty to its customers and whilst its signalling of intentions is all well and good, immediate action is needed.