SECURITY cameras look set to be installed in Wellington Park in a bid to try and deter would-be vandals from causing problems.

Wellington Town Council took ownership of the park from cash-strapped Somerset Council at the beginning of April and has continued to the lock the park and the playing field at night.

But locking the park at night to stop people from getting in and causing mayhem has proved completely pointless.

And now the town council has come to the conclusion that the best course of action is to install spy-in-the-sky cameras to try and make louts think again before vandalising property.

Chief executive and town clerk, Dave Farrow, speaking at the town council’s monthly meeting on Monday (June 2), said: “It is disappointing that I’ve had to bring this report before the council, but we can’t carry on as we are.

“The vast majority of the problems that take place in Wellington Park happen after we’ve locked the gates of an evening. So basically locking the gates at night serves no purpose whatsoever.”

Money saved from not having to lock and unlock the gates each night is now set to be spent on CCTV – which might prove a much more effective way of deterring trouble-makers and catching vandals.

Mr Farrow said the council had checked with the Health and Safety Executive about people walking through the park at night and signs will have to go up about potential dangers such as the water and ha-ha.

The toilets, bandstand and shelter have all been targeted by vandals recently, while plants had also been ripped up – with the finger of blame being firmly pointed in the direction of young people.

But Mr Farrow said that more upsetting was that some plants had actually been stolen from the park and he definitely did not think that was the responsibility of young tearaways.

“People have come into the park and nicked plants – I just can’t believe that is young people doing that,” he said.

“Having CCTV installed won’t stop everything from happening, but it is tool in the box and could put people off from causing problems.”

The proposal to have CCTV installed was supported by councillors who felt it was a necessary step to take.

Cllr Andy Govier said: “We need to protect our assets.”

Cllr Mark Lithgow added: “We aren’t trying to chase people out of the park and we aren’t trying to frighten people away.

“And they do say that if you aren’t breaking the law you haven’t got anything to be worried about.

“Locking the gates at Wellington Park was like having a chocolate fireguard – not doing what it was supposed to do.”

A council report said that a local company had recommended that full coverage across Wellington Park would need seven cameras.

Councillors agreed for council officers to get quotes in for CCTV to be installed – subject to planning permission.

Police have supported the council’s wishes to have Wellington Park monitored by CCTV cameras.