CAMPAIGNERS who waged a six-year fight for closed-circuit television in the centre of Petersfield have been rewarded just hours after a camera was finally installed.

It caught the scene when a mob of around 25 youths launched an unprovoked and senseless attack on three young women and a man in the High Street.

The incident, described by police as the most serious in the town centre for some time, left all four with minor injuries.

The new camera was unveiled by former town mayor Chris Jenner on Friday morning and less than 13 hours later it proved its worth.

A sharp-eyed security guard in Rams Walk spotted the scene unfolding on the monitor and contacted Petersfield police immediately.

Police have examined the footage and have been interviewing many people they believe could be involved in the assault.

Sgt Peter Jones said the attack by the youths, all aged between 14 and 19, had been one of the most serious incidents recently in the town. It was totally unprovoked, "and quite senseless," he told The Herald.

It took place just before 11 pm on Friday when three respectable young adults in their mid 20s were going towards the club, Traders, for a private function.

They were wearing evening gowns and masks. "They were minding their own business when this group started jeering at them and one of the lads had his mask pulled off."

Then the mob of 20 to 25 youths started kicking and punching the four, two of whom were from Petersfield.

Sgt Jones added: "The setting-up of this CCTV camera has certainly helped us enormously with our investigation."

He said that to date two males and one female had been arrested and bailed pending further inquiries.

Police and town councillors have been campaigning for CCTV cameras in the centre of Petersfield since l995.

Mr Jenner told The Herald: "It is excellent news that the camera has given results so quickly. There was never any doubt in my mind that it was worthwhile. I knew we would see results but I didn't imagine in my wildest dreams that it would be so quick."

George Watkinson was mayor when East Hampshire District Council proposed town councillors should join forces to provide CCTV coverage in the town.

"It was far too costly for us then, but later this idea of linking up with Rams Walk came up. I am delighted the camera is in.

"One camera is not the be-all and end-all, but this camera has proved its worth very quickly."

The new camera has been installed above Rams Walk looking over the Square and the High Street.

When he unveiled it on Friday morning, Mr Jenner said the camera, funded by the town council in co-operation with Rams Walk, was a major boost for crime prevention and detection in the town centre.

He thanked Rams Walk and the Prudential, without whose permission the project would not have been possible.

"This is a perfect example of how private enterprise and a local authority can work hand in hand to benefit their local community and it sends out a clear message to anyone thinking of coming into the town centre with ill intent. Don't."

East Hampshire community safety officer Insp Steve Sargent said police had been campaigning for CCTV cameras since l995.

It was he who persuaded town councillors to apply for Home Office funding for cameras several years ago. There was bitter disappointment when the government decided Petersfield did not warrant a grant for CCTV.

"Cameras act as a deterrent to criminals. They also give us some idea of what the offenders look like." he said.

Rams Walk manager Maggi Bennet said she was delighted to be working with the town council in the scheme.

Anyone who witnessed the incident on Friday night, or has any information, should contact Pc Simon Dear at Petersfield Police Station.