Totton planners are backing a £250,000 proposal to cut crime in the town centre.

Town councillors say a scheme to install security cameras at ten locations in the main shopping area will make the streets of Totton safer.

Town clerk Derek Biggs outlined the plan in a presentation to the planning and transport advisory committee.

He confirmed that the rotating cameras mounted on tall poles would be installed at points where they could cover more than one road.

Mr Biggs said hi-tech cameras outside the Elephant and Castle pub and the former

Do It All site would watch most of Commercial Road. He added that a camera on the centre of the World Stores roundabout would cover Commercial Road, Ringwood Road, Salisbury Road and Library Road.

Councillors heard that South Parade and a car park between the war memorial and the civic centre were also included in the scheme.

Four cameras will be installed south of the railway line, which divides the town centre.

Proposed sites include Winsor Road car park, where many motorists are afraid to

leave their vehicles following a large number of break-ins.

Mr Biggs said CCTV equipment would be placed at each end of Rumbridge Street in a bid to cover the whole road. But he warned it might be necessary to instal an extra camera halfway along the lengthy street.

The suggestion was welcomed by councillor Edith Randall, who said the additional device would protect properties that were set back from the road.

Committee chairman George Dart said: "I know £250,000 is a lot of money, but this scheme is essential in my view."