CORSHAM could receive a portable CCTV unit to monitor the streets, thanks to money put aside by the council to make the town safer.

At a meeting held at the Town Hall on Wednesday councillors agreed to put more than £3,000 towards the project.

It will help pay for a mobile CCTV unit housed in a van which can be deployed in problem areas.

The council is against setting up permanent CCTV cameras because of fears it could drive problems to other parts of the town.

Chairman of the finance committee Cllr Jock Fraser, of Hitherspring, Corsham, said: "We believe permanent cameras just shunt the problems to other parts of the town and we have always been against them.

"We discussed the possibility of a mobile unit which could be sent to sort out a problem.

"The system is costly, not only because of the initial purchase but also the ongoing maintenance and monitoring costs.

"We are now going to work closely with the police to find out if there is any more money to put towards it."

Inspector Gavin Williams of Chippenham police attended the meeting.

He said: "Some of the money is to be put towards a portable CCTV system which is a very positive thing.

"We are extremely grateful to Corsham Town Council for the input and effort it puts into partnership working with the police and we have always worked well with councillors on the committee.

"This sort of close relationship helps to make the community even safer than it is at the moment."

A total of £8,175 became available to Corsham Town Council when responsibility for the Police Community Support Officers passed to the police authority.

The council decided to give £5,000 toward the Bobby Van Trust, of which north Wiltshire resident the Duchess of Cornwall is a patron.

A registered charity, the Trust visits the homes of elderly and vulnerable people who are at risk of becoming victims of crime and helps secure their houses.

Cllr Fraser said: "They fit locks, chains, viewers and other security devices as well as smoke alarms and they have helped around 160 people in Corsham to date.

"We wanted to give something back to the elderly and vulnerable people in our community."