Harold MP Keith Darvill has urged local councillors not to miss out on an offer of Government cash to bring CCTV to local crime hot spots.

Home Secretary Jack Straw has announced a £150million package designed to encourage new CCTV schemes across the country, and Mr Darvill is anxious to ensure that some of that money goes to Harold.

Half of the cash is targeted at bringing CCTV to residential areas.The remainder will be invested on setting up cameras in town centres and car parks, including those at bus and railway stations.

Mr Darvill said: "All law-abiding people would welcome this.

"I will be urging the council and the police to identify possible areas and to make their bids as quickly as possible. This additional cash has become available and I want to make sure we take advantage of it.

"Any area where there is crime and which doesn't currently have CCTV could benefit. For example, there have been some car break-ins in the area around the swimming pool in Harold Hill, and that's just one possibility that springs to mind.

"When CCTV cameras were first introduced, some people were concerned about the civil rights aspects, but I think those fears have now been overcome, because there is evidence that crime is being cut."

The MP is hoping to talk to councillors, police officers and constituents over the next few weeks and has vowed to throw his weight behind any local bid.

He went on: "This is good news. It's another part of the Government's strategy for making neighbourhoods safe.

"The Government has already announced initiatives for tackling youth crime and anti social behaviour together with burglary and car crime. But it recognises also that CCTV is a huge aid to catching criminals and stopping crime."

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