A MOBILE CCTV camera has been installed in Pentire following a reported increase in antisocial behaviour.

Newquay Town Council reacted swiftly to put the temporary device in place at Esplanade Road following a request from Pentire Residents’ Associations, Newquay Police and Cornwall Council’s parking enforcement team.

It follows efforts to protect the Esplanade Village Green and civil enforcement officers handing out penalty charge notices to van owners who park along the road between midnight and 9am to deter people sleeping in their vehicles.

Inspector Steve Johnson said: “Hopefully the camera will assist in providing reassurance to those living and working in the area and act as a preventative measure.”

A spokesperson for the residents’ association added: "The local community together with the resident’s association has been actively working in to protect the Esplanade Village Green and improve safety for residents and visitors.

“The town and county council have acted faster than anticipated in approving the installation of CCTV to enhance safety and reassure the public."

Councillor Joanna Kenny added: “I am grateful to the town council for responding very quickly to a request to set up a temporary camera on Esplanade Road as a pilot; after there were several complaints last year of anti-social behaviour at the top end.

“The Pentire Residents’ Association liaising with the police and the parking enforcement team put together an excellent case making my job very easy.

“The camera provides evidence for crime and anti-social behaviour incidents. And hopefully it should give some reassurance to our parking enforcement officers and to members of the public.

“There is nothing like a camera watching to stop those who want to abuse them or worse. Unjustifiable behaviour.

“The next stage will be the town council considering installing a permanent camera at the site – in that position there’s a great view over Fistral, the sand dunes and over to Towan Head as well as Esplanade Road so that would cover far more easily a wide area known to suffer from intermittent anti-social behaviour.”