CRIME-busting CCTV is on the cards in Lindford after attempts by the parish council to curb under-age drinking and other problems in the village have failed.

Police have promised to look again into disturbances which beset the village at certain times, but if they get no results the council has conceded that it may have to take more drastic measures

Since February, parish councillors have been monitoring the situation, with extra visits being made to the Triangle in a bid to allay residentsÕ fears and to tackle the problem.

The move came after numerous complaints from residents, but at MondayÕs council meeting, councillors admitted that the trouble was again spiralling and new measures were needed.

Police officers have also been keeping an eye on the area but have told The Herald that they need more information and help from residents.

Chairman Ian Skelton-Smith read out a letter he had written to beat officer Pc Tony Bass, informing him that if the problems are not stopped, plans to improve the villageÕs facilities could be shelved.

Hie wrote: ÒOn Saturday I spent about an hour clearing broken glass, from broken bottles which had contained alcoholic drinks, from the playground.

ÒIt was scattered about under the swings and on and below the platform for the slide. It was not there the previous afternoon.

ÒThe parish council has plans to place some additional equipment on the Triangle including a youth shelter, seating, goal posts and a basketball stand. We also hope to place play equipment and other facilities elsewhere in the village.

ÒHowever, if we are unable to ensure there is a safe environment for young children in the existing playground, then we must call some of these plans into question.

ÒRecently I have been helping to administer a questionnaire about the proposed open space facilities on the Triangle. In the course of doing this, I have been approached by a number of residents who are very concerned about the disturbances which occur regularly on Friday nights.

ÒOn balance, residents are in support of our plans for the Triangle, but many have serious and well-founded reservations, and many have written extensive comments on the questionnaires, expressing doubts or opposition because of the Friday night problems.

ÒThe disturbances seem to be occurring later in the evenings than in previous months and are causing a great deal of distress to many of the residents.

ÒLast Friday night I observed a very large gathering of teenagers in the playground at about 8-30 pm to 9 pm. They were not causing a disturbance at the time that I passed, and whether or not this group was responsible for the broken glass I do not know.

ÒAccording to residents, the worst disturbances often occur between 10 pm and midnight.

ÒI should be grateful if you could ensure that the police visit this area on a regular basis on Friday nights, ideally more than once during the evening.Ó

After reading out his letter, the chairman left the meeting in no doubt that tackling the problems on the Triangle was a top priority.

ÒI think that it is the most serious problem that we have got in the village at the moment,Ó he said.

ÒThe people that I speak to on the Triangle speak about how difficult it makes their lives.

ÒAt one point we thought that the problems were connected with the youth club, but I am not sure if that is the case now.