ELDERLY people at a sheltered home in Petersfield are asking police for funds to install closed circuit television in a bid to combat rising vandalism, theft and anti-social behaviour close to their house.

Their cry for help comes as business people in the town also prepare to fight soaring violence, vandalism and drugs in Petersfield, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Bar owner Angie Ryan called a special meeting last week because she feared PetesfieldÕs growing reputation could affect business if people stayed away.

At Siward House, the sheltered housing complex in Borough Road, residents have asked Hampshire Police for nearly £2,000 to help fund two closed circuit television cameras outside the home.

Their bid is backed by Insp Steve Sargent, the man in charge of Petersfield police, who says that CCTV would make residents feel safer and Òdeter or detect potential offenders in the futureÓ.

Members of the Siward House Social Club - all aged between 68 and 93 - are asking Hampshire Police AuthorityÕs Crime Prevention Panel for £1,720 towards the estimated £2,300 cost.

They want a small scale CCTV system to be sited at the back of the premises, which are owned by the East Hampshire Housing Association and comprise 23 studio flats and 11 one-bedroomed flats housing a total of 45 people.

Treasurer of the social club, 83-year-old Ada Tebbey, told the Crime Prevention Panel that over the past few years there had been problems of juvenile nuisance, damage and theft of property around the building and a number of thefts had been committed in nearby sheltered housing.

In a report the panel was also told: ÒIn Siward House itself there have been two burglaries and a number of thefts from residentsÕ rooms which have increased the fear of crime and insecurity amongst the vulnerable elderly residents.Ó

Mrs Tebbey told The Herald that recently a car had been stolen from the Siward House car park and there had been numerous cases of vandalism including the theft of the Siward House sign, making it difficult for ambulances to find the place.

ÒIts very dark here at night and we really need some kind of security,Ó said Mrs Tebbey.

The residents also hope that CCTV will tackle the problem of bogus callers, identify those responsible for anti social behaviour and discourage vandalism and criminal damage.

Mrs Tebbey said that the project was supported by Age Concern in Petersfield, Petersfield Lions and the rotary club, who all said they backed the scheme and would discuss funding at committee meetings over the next few months.

The social club has already started the fund with a bequest from a tenant and members have liaised with East Hampshire District CouncilÕs Community Safety Partnership, which has helped the elderly people find sources of funding.

The plea for help comes in the week when an Age Concern survey of 4,000 older people nationwide has shown that 47 per cent of those over 75 are afraid to go out at night.

Chris Perry, Director of Age Concern Hampshire said: ÒStatistically older people are less likely to fall victim to street crime than any other age group and yet two-thirds believe that the older one gets, the more likely it is.Ó

Mr Perry blamed large sixth form colleges for much of the problem: ÒFifteen and 16 year olds are brought together into large sixth form colleges where they are given no responsibility for others, subjected to the adverse peer group influence associated with adolescence and to top it all, only have to attend college a few hours a week.Ó

Mr Perry added: ÒNo wonder there is a problem. We are submitting children and young people to adverse peer group influence, creating gangs, and giving them far too much freedom with no meaningful occupation or supervision.

ÒThe fear of crime among older people is much greater than crime itself and many caring and fun loving younger people have no perception of how intimidating their behaviour might seem.Ó