ANOTHER bid for closed-circuit television may be the best hope for reducing further the amount of crime in Skipton, say the police.

Representatives from the police attended a safety and amenities committee meeting of Skipton Town Council to give their views on what the council could do to improve policing in the area.

Det Insp Neil Thewsey said that there are early indications that there may be more money available nationwide for closed circuit television (CCTV) in the near future, and that the council should perhaps look towards applying for it.

There have been two previous bids both of which have been unsuccessful.

However, towns which have succeeded in installing cameras have benefited from a reduction in crime, particularly vandalism and assaults at night.

There is evidence too that criminals avoid towns where their movements can be tracked on a television monitor and head for soft targets - like Skipton.

To be successful in receiving a Government grant for the project, local money has to be provided as well.

For the last bid money was pledged by the police, Craven District Council and local businesses, but Skipton still missed out.

Det Insp Thewsey said that CCTV is something that the police have wanted for a long time and it would certainly be of benefit to Skipton.

Other possible schemes to look into for improving safety and crime prevention in Skipton was the employment of extra staff, either police or traffic wardens.

No final decisions have been made yet.

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