Council is reminding residents about its CCTV cameras set up in the area to record anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

Glen Innes Severn Council mayor Colin Price said the cameras had already been effective.

“We’d be concerned about any inappropriate behaviour in and around the town hall area and the main street, and the cameras have already been effective in identifying someone who was damaging tress in a walkway,” he said

“We are hoping the cameras will act as a deterrent and stop further damage by people to other areas of the main street.” 

The juvenile was caught on camera last week ripping up a plant from a Grey Street garden bed.

Council staff saw the damage and then reviewed the footage from the night. 

When they saw someone had intentionally vandalised the plant they contacted the police who watched the footage themselves and quickly located the juvenile.

He has since been spoken to about the vandalism. 

Glen Innes Police sergeant Pat Hall said the move would also deter any violent behaviour. 

“It has shown a reduction in violence in other areas,” he said. 

“Benefits have been proven in Inverell and Armidale.”

Council’s development, regulatory and sustainability services director Graham Price said the cameras have the ability to cover the whole main street if need be.

“They’ve got the capacity to be extended out from the town hall area to cover the whole main street,” he said.

Council erected signs at each end of the town square telling people  of the CCTV cameras.

Police have relied on CCTV footage from shops in the past.