A MOBILE CCTV vehicle may make an appearance in Okehampton to test the need for surveillance in the town, and reduce anti-social behaviour.

But a senior police officer says his main focus is 'keeping police on the streets'.

The idea for a CCTV vehicle was discussed at a full town council meeting last week, after South Hams and West Devon Police Supt Sarah Sharpe offered the vehicle to the council at no cost.

The new vehicle would patrol the town's streets, helping to identify and monitor anti-social behaviour. It is hoped it will reduce crime, which has dropped in the last year, even further.

Cllr Kay Bickley told the meeting her main issue was with anti-social behaviour.

'CCTV is a tool for identification and my biggest fear in Okehampton is that when the public are not confident with the police, they will take matters into their own hands,' she said.

'When people start taking the law into their own hands, it becomes a real worry.'

Cllr Bickley also felt the town was in desperate need of a youth intervention officer.

'We want to try and keep youngsters out of trouble and we are really missing a youth intervention officer.

'There is a particular relationship they have with youngsters and we do need one.'

Insp Peter Turner, who answered councillors' questions on the future of CCTV in the town, said police patrolling was his main priority.

'We know it's an area that needs to be addressed,' he said.

'We need an officer to step forward and offer to take on the role and it is something which we are working on.'

Insp Turner said his main focus was on keeping police on the streets.

'CCTV is not my key issue. Mine is policing the streets and targeting the individuals who are causing the problems.

'I am not saying CCTV won't help, but if we put everything else together, we will start getting results in the town.

'I can't guarantee two policemen on the streets all the time but I am aware of the need.'

Insp Turner said all the pubs in Okehampton had agreed to a six-month ban on anybody who is arrested for anti-social behaviour.

'I am all for trying to make sure we police the problems on a Friday and Saturday night.

'Once the ban is in place, it will make a significant difference to Okehampton.'

He said a new dvd, costing £1, had been issued to residents, and it showed how to identify shoplifters.

'The dvd has been doing really well in Barnstaple at the moment.

'If we look at the dvd and work together with the crime prevention officer and shop-owners and traders, then we can reduce shoplifting.

'I am very much for public order and I will do my utmost to get officers on the streets — I expect them to be out on the corner, watching out for any anti-social behaviour.'

The dvd is one of the ideas that came about through Partners and Communities Together (PACT).

Cllr David Weekes said that along with CCTV, he would like to see more officers on the streets.

'Prevention is better than cure. Putting two policemen on the streets would make a huge difference in the evenings.

'If there are two policemen walking around the town randomly, we would all see a dramatic drop in anti-social behaviour.'

The town council will be following up the suggestion for the CCTV mobile vehicle and is expected to make a decision in the coming weeks.