Volunteers needed to run Market Drayton CCTV

Residents have taken street safety in a north Shropshire town into their own hands after stepping up to help run its CCTV system.

Four people have come forward after an appeal was launched to find help to run Market Drayton's camera system.

It will be the first time the system has been staffed by volunteers and could help "provide an enhanced system" for the area.

Two of the volunteers are residents from the town and they will all be trained up to man the cameras between 8pm and 3am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The move coincides with town council plans to partially upgrade the system.

An initial appeal for volunteers issued by West Mercia Police earlier this week has attracted several inquiries, the force said.

Richard Ewels, a spokesman for the force, said: "This is a pleasing response but we need more volunteers - up to a dozen in total."

Councillor Roger Hughes, chairman of the Town Council's services and facilities committee, said: "This will serve to increase the effectiveness of the system providing improved coverage and further security on town centre streets."

Contact Roy Davies at Shrewsbury Police Station on 0300 3333000, extension 5157 or e-mail roy.davies@westmercia.pnn.police.uk