THE president of Devizes Chamber of Commerce, Jo Edwards, has called for a CCTV system to be put back on the agenda after hanging baskets were stolen last week by vandals.

Five hanging baskets, put by the town council as part of its campaign to win a trophy in the Britain in Bloom competition, disappeared between July 17 and 23.

They were eventually replaced at a cost of £150 by the local contractor who is maintaining the town's floral display.

The baskets went missing from outside the dental surgery and North Wilts Training in New Park Street, The Emporium in St John's Street, Southbroom Surgery in Estcourt Street and Rose's the Butchers in Sidmouth Street.

The Chamber of Commerce collaborates with the town council on the floral display and Mrs Edwards said the thefts were very depressing.

"It is probably the same small minority who are spoiling it for the rest of the town," she said. "Of course, if we had CCTV in the town centre this kind of thing could be nipped in the bud.

"But we have been told that it is a dead letter unless the chamber can find some kind of private finance for the scheme."

Kennet Community Safety Partnership, which includes representatives of local councils, police and other statutory agencies, commissioned a feasibility study in 2001 from consultants Optimum Risk Management into a joint CCTV system for Devizes, Marlborough, Pewsey, Tidworth and Ludgershall.

But at capital cost of nearly £700,000 and maintenance costs rising to £170,000 a year after five years, the idea was considered too expensive and shelved.

Instead, funding of £15,000 was found to equip two police vans with CCTV equipment.

Police complain, however, that the van requires two full-time officers to man it while it is in use.