CCTV cameras are urgently needed in Malmesbury to make the community feel safer and deter criminals, according to the police and community groups.

This was the outcome of a public meeting organised by the community safety partnership and Malmesbury Town Council last Wednesday night.

One scheme being considered costs around £24,000 for a fully operational system, which is more than £10,000 cheaper than previously thought.

County and district councillor John Thomson said: "A lot of crime comes into the town and I think by having CCTV it will remove that. It will make people, and especially older people, feel secure as well as protecting our children from drug dealers. At the moment Malmesbury could be perceived as a soft touch. But having CCTV would deter criminals."

During the meeting, three firms demonstrated CCTV technology to an audience of town councillors, the police and the public.

Sergeant Gavin Williams said Malmesbury police supported the introduction of CCTV because the cameras can act as an extra pair of eyes and identify criminals.

He said the use of cameras in Wootton Bassett had seen a big drop in vandalism and shoplifting.

Malmesbury town council clerk Phil Rice said the council supported the idea of CCTV.

But he warned that the town council could not be expected to bear the burden of the cost by itself.

Mr Rice said: "Malmesbury town council does not have the money to finance the cameras. This has to be a community-led programme and properly funded."

He added further discussion was needed on the siting of the cameras.

Coun Thomson said he is committed to bringing CCTV to Malmesbury.

"I will do my best to deliver it. It is good for business and a benefit for the whole community. I think if we want to do it, we need to raise the money in the community," he said.

He added one camera system being considered uses wireless technology that would avoid digging up streets to lay cables.

He said cameras would have a powerful deterrent effect on criminals by being dotted around the town.

Coun Thomson added that fears about townspeople losing their privacy were unfounded, because the cameras can be set up to black out sensitive areas.

He added: "Everybody at the meeting was in support of CCTV. I think the will is there and we just need to get the best system and capital funding. We will now set a timescale to try and achieve it."

Alan Woodward, president of Malmesbury Chamber of Commerce cautiously welcomed the idea, but questioned who would pay for it.

Mr Woodward said: "I think a lot of traders would support CCTV because it gives added protection to staff and customers.

"But if we have to contribute it would be an extra expense for firms and I am not sure how the local business community will react.

"We are only a small town with small businesses. As it is, most of us pay for our CCTV cameras in our shops anyway."

Fred Moule, representing Malmesbury and St Paul Without Residents' Association said: "I think the majority of people would pay a little bit more to get CCTV."

A working party of the town council, police and community groups has now been formed to come up with an affordable scheme for the town.