FRUSTRATED Stourport residents, at the end of their tether over vandalism and fighting, have backed a proposal to introduce CCTV cameras in the town.

Roy Cookson, who manages a shop in Bridge Street, said over the past year he had counted at least 42 smashed shop windows plus damage to private vehicles, signs and fences, together with fighting in the streets.

He said a minimum of 12 shop windows had been damaged in Lombard Street, 11 in Bridge Street and five in York Street. He also believed around 14 windows had been vandalised in Stourport's High Street over the same period.

Mr Cookson added: "I have spoken to shopkeepers in these streets who are, like me, totally frustrated at the situation, which has been ongoing for the past 10 years, to the knowledge of most.

"CCTV could help to improve things, to some degree, like in Kiddermin-ster. The police can't be everywhere, unfortunately, but at least it will help curb some of the problems in the town centre."

Another resident, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, also felt CCTV would act as a deterrent in the area. Her husband recently felt intimidated when a group of youths in the Co-op car park flashed a red light into his eyes. She added cars had been deliberately scratched with keys and shop windows vandalised.

Town councillors voted unanimously at a meeting in October to use £20,000 from a Wyre Forest district council grant to fund the purchase of two new CCTV cameras in the town. It is yet to be decided where they will be placed.

Town councillor, David Little, said: "It seems that the success of the CCTV cameras in Kidderminster has driven these people out to places like Stourport and Bewdley.

"We are now looking at introducing them into our town, including the areas of York Street, High Street and Bridge Street. The consultants are looking into the best place to position these cameras and we are hoping to have them installed by the summer.

"If these are successful then we will certainly look into finding further funding to install more."

PC Andy Brooks-Davies, of Stourport police, also welcomed moves to introduce CCTV cameras in the town.

He said: "We have already provided crime data to assist in planning and will continue to work with the council and the traders in the town to move the project forward."