SOME Odiham residents are calling for CCTV to be installed in the village after a number of break-ins and anti-social behaviour in the area.

Odiham fire station has been broken into three times, most recently on February 13.

Other crimes include a break-in at McColl’s newsagent, a smoke grenade being thrown into a restaurant, and a £57,000 JCB digger being stolen from a building site.

Neighbourhood Watch area co-ordinator Sally Tunstell has raised the issue of CCTV being needed in the area - a claim backed up by some local residents, who are feeling more and more susceptible following these latest events.

Wendy Trimmer, who lives in the village, said: “I think it would make people feel a lot safer. Just because we are a small village it doesn’t mean assaults, vandalism or theft never happen”.

With currently no CCTV in the village it makes getting evidence for crimes difficult and also offers no deterrent for the criminals who commit the crimes.

Linda L’Enfant added: “CCTV on a few of the roads in and out of the village would be a great help when trying to track down the people committing these crimes.”

The view was not completely ‘pro-CCTV’ however, with many people highlighting how intrusive 24/7 surveillance can be, the eyesore CCTV units are and how they have felt no danger to their safety since the crimes occurred.

Philip Jenkins said: “I have lived in Odiham since 2011 and have never lived anywhere where I have felt safer.

“I would not welcome CCTV unless there were vulnerable local residents who would actually feel safer with it installed.”

Jenny Pateman agreed with Mr Jenkins. “Odiham is a fab place to live and these are isolated incidents. It actually feels nice to live somewhere where we’re not being watched all the time - a little haven from surveillance culture and the modern world.”

Many also thought that because of the intrusive nature of CCTV, rather than the whole area having the surveillance system, that just those affected by the recent crimes should, particularly the fire station, given the repeat crimes it suffers.

The cost and planning consent would be another factor, with the High Street being grade 2 listed, meaning any CCTV installation would prove to be difficult and expensive.

The views of the residents appears to be equally divided and when asked about the matter, the chairman of Odiham Parish Council (OPC), Jon Hale, said: “We are aware that some residents have suggested the need for CCTV.  

“While this has been discussed previously, currently OPC do not have an established policy.  This is a complex topic and would need careful consideration.”

He added: “OPC is aware of the recent incidents within our parish, all of which are very unusual for Odiham as a village.  

“At the moment our community police team have assured us that they are not connected and that investigations are on-going to catch the individuals responsible.  

“Odiham is fortunate to have a very good neighbourhood watch group and we would encourage residents to be kept informed and join it by contacting Sally Tunstell.”

Sally can be contacted at [email protected]. Alternatively, get in touch with Hampshire Police by calling 101.