Two crimebusting CCTV cameras could be installed in Shrewsbury Quarry’s showpiece Dingle.

It comes after vandals caused widespread damage when they went on a wrecking spree, ripping up plants worth hundreds of pounds. Council chiefs hope the cameras will also ensure the safety of staff and visitors amid concerns they could be put at risk by anti-social behaviour.

Shrewsbury Town Council today said it hoped to have the cameras installed as soon as possible, and it would mean a large part of the park would be covered as some are already in place covering other parts of the Quarry.

News of the new cameras comes after two attacks on the public gardens in recent months, with the most recent at the end of last month when plants were either snapped off or pulled up resulting in about £230 damage.

The damage was branded as “senseless” by police and councillors spoke of their concern that it had taken place.

Today Helen Ball, clerk of the council, said: “We’ve had a few incidents of vandalism in the Dingle not long after plants were put in and we’ve had one of two incidents of anti-social behaviour within the park which potentially could put the public at risk.

“We’ve also got to look at the fact that we have staff in there and we have started to look at the provision of CCTV cameras in there.

“There are some covering the play area but there aren’t any in the Dingle and the top end of the park. Council has given us authority to look to see how much it would cost to extend the CCTV coverage throughout the park and we want it in place as soon as we can.”

She added: “The potential is for one looking into the Dingle and sweeping around Kingsland Bridge and that area and then another around the Dingle to the top bit of the park.

“The whole of the park should be covered by two new cameras and the ones down the bottom that are in place.”

By John Kirk