COMMUNITIES in Wharfedale could get security cameras paid for out of a major cash hand-out by the Government.

The home office has announced it is to spend £150 million on the setting up of thousands of closed circuit televisison schemes (CCTV) across the country.

And now Otley's MP Harold Best is to talk to crime-fighting groups in the town and surrounding communities about whether they could be in line for a slice of the cash.

A fresh bid to get the cameras installed in Aireborough is also to be made at a police forum meeting on Monday (April 12).

Several previous attempts to get financial backing for a CCTV scheme in Yeadon have failed - despite the backing of the crime prevention panel, traders and the police.

The announcement has been welcomed by Otley town councillor and chairman of Otley Town Partnership Councillor Phil Coyne.

Coun Coyne, a supporter of CCTV, said: "There is no doubt that CCTV contributes to peoples' sense of security and that is quite important for a town centre like Otley."

Coun Coyne added that the cameras would have to be sited sensitively so as not to ruin the look of the town centre's conservation area. "We would not need an enormous number of cameras to cover the town centre and could put cameras at known trouble spots," said Coun Coyne.

The town's chamber of trade and commerce would also like to see CCTV installed in Otley and already has a £200 donation from Superdrug to go towards the cost of a system.

Mr Best (Lab, Leeds North West) said: "This money will be welcomed by my constituents as a way of supporting the police and local councils in tackling local crime and disorder. I will be speaking to them to see if we should be applying for some of the money that is available."

Margaret Atkinson, vice chairman of the Aireborough, Horsforth and Otley Police Forum, said she would be pressing for CCTV in communities where people thought it was needed.

Mrs Atkinson, a long term campaigner for CCTV in Yeadon, said a core system could operate based in Yeadon and linked up to other crime hot spots and even to other towns and communities including Otley and Guiseley.

"CCTV is a deterrent. People are not going to commit a crime when there is a camera there and it makes people feel more secure.

Its like having a security camera in your house - it just makes you feel more secure," said Mrs Atkinson.

Mrs Atkinson added that there was a strong feeling in Aireborough that CCTV cameras should be installed.

"People do want it, particularly Yeadon traders. I shall be pressing for it in my own area in Aireborough but also for any other community that wants it - it is the only way forward," said Mrs Atkinson.

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