CCTV for centre's safety

Six CCTV cameras are planned to protect Aldingbourne Community Sports Centre from vandals.

The round the clock security system will be based on two pylons '“ 30ft and 25ft tall '“ around the site in Olivers Meadow. Plans for the masts have been sent to Arun District Council by committee secretary Mike Burton, on the centre's behalf, for approval.

A statement with the planning application comments: 'The construction is to take place immediately adjacent to buildings and children's playground which comprise a community centre and associated sporting facilities.

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'The aim of the installation is to provide security for users and a deterrent to would-be vandals and burglars.

'The height of the masts '“ 9m '“ is required to see over fences, hedges and an embankment as well as to safeguard the integrity of the cameras and lights.

'The location of the two masts has been carefully considered to allow maximum coverage of the site without overlooking adjacent properties.

'The sites chosen will ensure, even during periods of maintenance, the masts will not affect any user of the facilities provided at the centre.

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'It is envisaged that both masts and the camera/lighting arrays they carry will be highly visible. The masts themselves are galvanised steel and are, therefore, naturally grey in colour, although they can be coloured white.

'The outer bodies of the cameras are predominantly white. This installation it is hoped will in itself act as a deterrent. Therefore, visibility is a priority.'

The proposed locations of the cameras '“ costing well over 11,000 '“ shows three of them on a 30ft high mast at the corner of the social club and next to the bowling club lookind towards the tennis court and car park. Two more cameras would be sited on a 25ft mast at the front left car park to look towards the car park entrance.

The remaining camera would be located within the centre's entrance area at around ceiling height and pointing towards the main entrance to the building.

All the cameras would be capable of recording in colour.

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Their cabling would be installed below ground to the control centre in the main office to preserve security.

The Observer reported in January how yobs had carried out a sustained series of attacks on the centre. Six attempted burglaries had taken place in the previous month alone.

Doors had been damaged, windows smashed and a roof broken.