The campaign for Peterhead to have a dedicated CCTV system took another step forward yesterday after a petition backing the scheme being handed over to council bosses.
Retailers’ calls for a security camera network to cover the town centre followed a string of alleged break-ins during November and December.
A petition was circulated to businesses in an attempt to build support for the cause and it attracted more than 800 signatures.
The document called for action from Aberdeenshire Council and said CCTV was needed in Peterhead to make people “feel safe again”.
Gilbert Burnett, who owns Buchan Aquatics on Broad Street, decided to act after his fledgling business was broken in to.
He went to Buchan House to give the petition to the local authority’s Buchan area manager Chris Whyte.
Mr Burnett, who recently joined Rediscover Peterhead as a board member, said improving safety in the region’s biggest town is crucial if it is prosper.
He said: “It is not a case of wanting CCTV in Peterhead, there is a need for it.
“The town has been finding it hard to get booming again and that is because folk don’t feel safe.
“In the 1950s and 1960s there wasn’t as much money in the town but it was booming.
“It is not like that now because it’s not safe now and we want to take steps to make it safe.
“We definitely need this.”
Mr Burnett opened his aquatics shop last year and after being targeted by thieves he felt the best thing to do was to give other firms some reassurance with the introduction of CCTV.
He added: “My concern is to stop this happening to other people. I can’t stop this happening to me but I want to help others.”
The council have previously said they would work alongside Rediscover Peterhead and the police on the CCTV project.
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Last night, a council spokesman said the authority were willing to listen to the ideas from local businesses and accept the petition.
He also revealed that officials are putting together a document setting out how they can potentially provide cameras in the town.
The spokesman said: “We are always happy to listen to our communities and in this case to accept the petition from Peterhead’s town centre businesses, the contents of which we will consider.
“Officers are currently working on a report for local councillors looking at how CCTV could be provided in Peterhead given the current budget situation and it is hoped this will be discussed in the spring.”