SIR,

Monmouth Town Council has until now had a responsible record for economy, suddenly we have an extra demand from them for £18,000 a year for the CCTV scheme, just two packets of cigarettes we are told. If this sort of expenditure is to be dismissed so lightly heaven help us in the future.

£18,000 is a 50 per cent increase on the cost of the previous scheme, which proved to be a waste of money.

It will mostly be paid for by residents who will get little or no benefit. Shops, businesses and pubs should have taken it on.

Even this improved scheme is very limited in its claimed flexibility, it cannot reach the outlying areas which have caused problems in the past.

Comparisons with other towns that used the CCTV scheme showed that Monmouth with its low crime rate had a very bad return for the money spent.

If the new project does not prove that it has changed this the town council should cut its losses and withdraw.

Tim Buckland

(Monmouth)