HASLEMERE'S CCTV system has been up and running for at least two weeks, despite no public announcement, The Herald can reveal this week.

Observant residents and visitors may have noticed signs on each of the main roads into the town which state that CCTV is in operation, but as yet there has been no public launch for the system.

This week, crime prevention advisor for Waverley John Robini told The Herald that the two cameras – one at the top of the High Street and the other in Wey Hill – have been working for at least the past two weeks.

Technical difficulties and a delay in the process for planning permission to erect the road signs have meant the launch of the scheme was already nine months behind schedule. These "difficulties" have also increased the cost for the system across the borough.

Haslemere council tax payers have paid £16,000 for the scheme, but the cameras and monitors are owned by Surrey Police and can be relocated to crime hotspots elsewhere in the borough if necessary. A crime reduction partnership between Godalming, Farnham and Cranleigh means that their cameras could also be loaned to Haslemere if necessary.

The town council has budgeted for annual maintenance costs in the region of £1,700 for the next three years,

Chairman of Haslemere's CCTV Partnership and Enterprise Group Ken Kent claimed the unforeseen price hike of £9,000 for the Waverley-wide scheme was due to the need for special aerials to be installed to improve the reception of images.

Mr Kent blamed the increased cost on the "unforeseen" problem of steep hills which affected image reception.

High quality digital images are recorded by the cameras and are monitored by the police officers who have been trained to use the system.

News of the successful installation of the system has been welcomed by mayor of Haslemere Stephen Mulliner.

Mr Mulliner said: "I am pleased the system is working and hope that it will have the desired effect of reducing crime in the town."

A spokesman for Surrey Police has also welcomed the system.

"It's fantastic news that the cameras are working, already there has been one crime in Wey Hill which officers can investigate more closely with the CCTV footage," the police spokesman said.

There was also talk at last week's meeting of Haslemere Town Council amenities sub committee.

Committee chairman and former mayor of Haslemere Fay Foster said there was a possibility the cameras could be used to solve the ongoing vandalism problems at Lion Green.

At the meeting last week, town clerk Mike O'Neil reported that the children's play area was recently targeted by vandals. Treacherous pieces of glass had been put on the slide and under the swings and the embankment nearby had been dug into to make a series of steps, Mr O'Neil told councillors.

Councillors also heard at the meeting that Lion Green's Co-op supermarket has introduced a new policy not to serve alcohol to anyone aged under 21, in hope of discouraging underage drinking in the area.

The town's Police and Community Partnership Group (PCPG) is already working on a scheme in partnership with Surrey Youth services and the local community to find a solution to the problems at the Green.

Chairman of the PCPG and town and borough councillor, Jacquie Keen, said: "Following the public meeting at Haslemere Methodist Church some weeks ago a project has emerged which will try to find a solution for the whole of the community, including the young people. We will announce details about the project as soon as possible."

An officical launch of the CCTV system in Haslemere is expected to be held in the near future.