THE first batch of volunteers has signed up to staff Calne's CCTV monitoring station, which could be up and running in a month.

The CCTV system, which records the town centre 24 hours a day, has already proved a success and the police have used several tapes to help in their investigations.

But the town council and police agree a fully staffed monitoring station will make the fight against crime less reactive and more proactive.

Six volunteers from the town's crime prevention panel have already offered to help, and are waiting police clearance before starting their training.

Calne's community development officer Mark Wilkins said: "I'm looking forward to getting it up and running.

"It's going to help combat problems of vandalism in the town centre. Our staff will be able to spot problems as they happen and zoom in and out on individuals providing the police with better evidence."

Last October, the town council agreed to set up a manned monitoring station in the Carnegie Library. But the building is undergoing major renovation and will not be ready for action for 12 months.

In the meantime the council has approved plans to install a temporary monitoring station at its offices in Bank House.

The council believes a manned centre will help reduce fear of crime in the town centre and reassure residents and businesses that the council is determined to tackle problems of petty crime and vandalism.