COUNCILLORS in Fordingbridge are looking to “push” for the installation of CCTV in response to antisocial behaviour in town.

It was discussed during a meeting of Fordingbridge Town Council on August 3.

Police are working with Fordingbridge Town Council and New Forest District Council to address issues with antisocial.

Cllr Alan Lewendon stated there had been incidents of kids banging on windows at the hospital at night and that before that evening's meeting he had heard a group swearing in the grounds and was told by a passing dog walker that residents in the Lower Bartons had to put up with that every night.

Mayor Anna Wilson said the situation in the town was a "bit frustrating at the moment" and asked whether a public spaces protection order could be put in place as other areas of Hampshire had them. But the meeting heard this was usually done in larger areas.

Discussions have taken place about the installation of CCTV in problem areas and “reasonable progress” was being made.

Cllr Wilson asked whether the council should do a survey to gauge whether there was support amongst residents in the town for more CCTV and whether they would like to pursue a public space protection order.

Cllr Mike Jackson felt the town council should look at the installation of CCTV in the town centre.

“We should push for the CCTV definitely," added Cllr Wilson, who said there had been "some horrible scenes" in the town over the last couple of weeks including a "punch up" on the bridge.

"We do really need to move forward with this quite quickly."

Antisocial behaviour was a concern for residents, which was raised during the annual town meeting in June that was attended by the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones along with officers from the local policing team.

The neighbourhood policing team in Fordingbridge later launched Op Idyllic which is focused on addressing the issues.

A representative from the policing team said the team was not able to patrol the town 24/7 and emphasised the importance of incidents being reported to police via 101 or online which will allow resources to be focused.

Town council officers will carry out some further research into CCTV systems.

Cllr Edward Hale said: “CCTV has got to be our first step and then lots of evidence hopefully so we can campaign for more and more to be done."

He also suggested finding other potential locations for it.

Cllr Jackson added: "It's got to be evidence based. If we've got CCTV we can provide some of the evidence."

He said it would be a good idea to "pursue" the information about CCTV which was supported by Cllr Wilson who felt CCTV would be a "good use" of council money.

The town council officers will carry out further research into CCTV systems and regulations.