Community representatives have been researching CCTV as part of a fact-finding mission to decide if the cameras should be installed in Malmesbury.

Councillor Martin Snell and town clerk Phil Rice visited a CCTV control room in Devizes last Wednesday night which monitors towns such as Salisbury and Amesbury.

Coun Snell returned confident it was a useful visit.

He said: "It was very informative and the technology is very impressive. Members of the council have been to Chippenham and Wootton Bassett to see the cameras there."

Coun Snell added that the decision to bring CCTV cameras to Malmesbury remained a long way off, as further public consultation had to be carried out.

The price tag for installing the cameras could be around £30,000.

He said: "Malmesbury does not have a very big crime rate. We just get passing crime. It is very early days with CCTV here. It is up to members of the public to make a decision. The payment will stop with the community taxpayer."

Incoming mayor Jackie Martin, who did not attend the Devizes control room last week, voiced a differing opinion.

She said: "I think we are desperate for CCTV cameras in Malmesbury. We have been told by the district council there would be money available for them and we are looking into sources of funding.

"We need to tell CCTV companies what we want rather than the other way around, and the only way to do that is to visit other control rooms.

"As long as the cost is manageable. I think people will be for it. We have got to be pro-active rather than reactive."

Up to ten cameras are being considered for Malmesbury.

Possible areas where they could be situated include the High Street, Market Cross, Abbey Row, The Triangle, and Gloucester Street.

The area around Cross Hayes and Station Yard car park is another venue being considered by a working party of town councillors, community groups and police.