Call for CCTV to catch and prosecute vandals
Recent vandalism of new planters on The Terrace and a commemorative bench outside the Co-op has left many residents and business owners furious at the behaviour of a number of young people in the town.
Now, members of the business partnership are calling for CCTV cameras to be installed as a priority to catch and prosecute those up to no good.
Chairman Angela Morgan-Knight explained: "We are not going to allow this sort of behaviour to take over the town. We need two or three well placed cameras and footage needs to be followed up with prosecutions.
"A lot of the problems are being caused by young adults and they are intimidating people who have lived in Spilsby for many years. People in the town have had enough."
The 14 barrier baskets, planted by members of the Linkage College Trust Employment Service, were installed just two weeks ago but every one was overturned on Bank Holiday Monday.
Cllr Michael Lenton from the partnership said: "These baskets were paid for by businesses of the town – friends and family of local people. The bench, which cost £350, was paid for by residents and in essence these youths are damaging their own property.
"We have already spoken to Linkage and the baskets will be replanted, the actions of these mindless cowards will not stop us trying to improve the town, it just means that money is being spent replacing items instead of making further improvements."
A request for CCTV was made towards the end of 2006 but was refused because crime levels were not high enough to warrant it.
A spokesperson for East Lindsey District Council said: "We have met with the neighbourhood panel and are doing things in the town to help deal with some of the issues.
"If the town council were to make a request for CCTV we would certainly consider it and will look again at the crime statistics. It is important that if people see crime they report it to the police so they are aware of the incidents as they happen."
Sgt Dave Robertson from the town's neighbourhood policing team said: "We need to make sure that we don't just push these groups of youths elsewhere. We have spoken to some of those who hang around in the market place and many don't realise they make residents feel intimidated. They like to meet there because they feel safe.
"We are working on increasing our patrols in the area so that we have a more visible presence in the town. Our priority is to make sure that people in the market place are happy and feel comfortable."
The next business partnership meeting will take place on Wednesday September 16 at 5.45pm at the Centre of Excellence on Church Street.
Anyone who has any spare plants which could be used in the planters and is willing to donate them is asked to contact Angela on (01790) 752577.
Are you a young person living in Spilsby? Do you think the actions of others are giving you a bad name? What would you like to see happen? Email sarah.payne@targetseries.co.uk
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