BUSINESSES and residents of Okehampton can look forward to a safer Christmas thanks to the installation of CCTV cameras to combat rowdy behaviour in the town's Red Lion Yard.

The move comes after owner of the yard Angus McPhie offered to pay for the cameras to be installed. His offer came in the wake of months of disruption from youths banging on windows and shouting abuse at shop owners and their customers. Work was last week completed on the three cameras, which are at the top end of the yard and cost a total of £6,000.

Concerns about antisocial behaviour affecting residents and businesses were first raised in April, when business owners, residents, representatives from Okehampton Town Council, the police and Mr McPhie held a meeting to discuss the problem.

Speaking of his relief for the people and businesses of Okehampton, Mr McPhie said he felt satisfied the cameras would make a big difference to the town. He said: 'It's quite exciting and great to have an instant picture on the spot for the police.

'These cameras are very modern and have a broad field of view, they are very good quality images and can zoom in and in again. 'They will be able to pick up people breaking windows.'

Mr McPhie said the cameras, which look straight down the yard, covering Barclays Bank and Martin's Bistro, will also solve problems with people on skate-boards and bikes.

He said: 'Youths would speed down the yard on their bikes and skateboards, knocking into the elderly and damaging the bushes and infrastructure.

'I think it's a great opportunity for the town to have the cameras, not only does it clear up the anti-social behaviour, but in the long term it will help promote the town.

'The Red Lion Yard is an extremely attractive shopping area and having the cameras will encourage tourism.'

Mr McPhie said he would like to see the town council move forward with installing cameras in and around the town: 'I feel it is vital now that the town council comes to a decision on their CCTV cameras.

'The cameras in the yard are a combination of 12 months' research and hard work.

'But there is an element of concern that we will just move the problem to another area of town.'

Okehampton Cllr Kay Bickley said: 'This is a positive thing for the Red Lion Yard and Mr McPhie has been very on-side with the CCTV from the beginning.

'The town system is do-able — we are interested in protecting businesses and we are also interested in protecting the public — particularly over the weekend period when things seem to be worse. 'We've looked at systems and we are very keen on the radio transmitted system, which is led by the police.

'The cameras in the Red Lion Yard will improve things for the people who live there, improve their security and their fear of crime by knowing the system is in place.'

Okehampton Chamber of Trade chairman Ian Bailey said: 'The chamber have been at the forefront of trying to establish CCTV in the town.

'We are sure this will bring a positive outcome for businesses and residents throughout Okehampton.

'The timing is very good and we are looking forward to seeing a marked difference in a drop in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.'

Owner of Kudos Clothing Trisha Shaw said: 'We think it's great and are sure the cameras will make a massive difference to so many people.

'Everyone has suffered for a long time and now we are very reassured.

'We had our own security, but this is so much more advanced and we are all exceptionally happy about it.'