CCTV cameras send 'strong message' to community

A council has said it expects demand to be high for four new mobile CCTV cameras which are being deployed across its area.

The local authority in the Borders has reported seeing reduced offending since the region's Community Action Team began using two cameras at trouble hotspots.

It is hoped the four further cameras can help reduce anti-social behaviour in other parts of the area.

Julie Pirone, former chair of the region's safer communities board, said they sent a "clear message" the council was taking such issues seriously.

"These are four mobile cameras that we'll put into place in our towns and some of our villages around the Borders," she explained.

"That will be based on a full deployment plan that is based on analysis and data so that they are going to the right places.

"It also sends a clear message to everyone worried about safety in their communities that we have taken it really seriously and that we are working on it."

The cameras will be put in position over the next couple of months and Ms Pirone said she could not wait to see that happen.

She said the existing cameras had already made a "huge difference".

They have been moved to areas where police were seeing problems and help to tackle any issues being encountered.

She said that meant if you were "doing something you shouldn't be" you would be caught on camera.

Ms Pirone added that it would also "give reassurance to the public" that their concerns about what was happening in their town was being addressed.