75856-15CCTV cameras would help reclaim the streets of Rodbourne Cheney from young yobs, say residents.

Now 400 people have signed a petition calling for cameras to be installed along Moredon Road.

The area around the Church-walk North and Churchwalk South junction has become a regular haunt for under-age boozers.

Residents say up to 100 youngsters can gather there at weekends.

The Rodbourne Cheney Work-ing Men's club is a favourite target and the Evening Advertiser recently reported how louts had started firing homemade arrows around close to the club.

Grandfather Les White, 69, of Mullberry Grove, collected the signatures in his role as chairman of the Rodbourne Cheney Residents' Association.

He said: "We've been talking to the police and the council for two years now but the situation is still the same. The police always say that they need to be able to identify troublemakers and having CCTV cameras would make this possible.

"Cameras have been put up in the Circle in Pinehurst and have had a positive impact.

"Besides catching offenders red-handed they are a good deterrent."

Swindon Council's CCTV system is mainly confined to the town centre but a few other areas are covered.

A blueprint is being drawn up for a state-of-the-art CCTV system with more than 500 cameras in the borough which would cost between £1m and £3m.

One option would be to link Rodbourne Cheney and Moredon into this scheme.

Coun Brian Ford, the council's lead member for community safety, said: "We are currently looking at this major project and Moredon will be one of the first to be linked in.

"However, it is dependent on resources, but we will look favourably at Moredon."

The CCTV petition was circulated in the local shops and was handed to the three local councillors Derique Montaut (Lab Moredon), Maureen Caton (Lab, Moredon) and Colin Lovell (Con Moredon).

Coun Lovell said: "CCTV is a fabulous idea and would make the area safer."

A dispersal order, which means the police can order gangs of troublemakers to leave, is currently in place in the area which residents hope would be covered by CCTV.

Tamash Lal