IN a bid to beat the spectre of vandalism in Saltash security cameras, which are now in position in the town, and have begun running, are to be 'opened' officially.
However, fears of vandalism continue, due to longstanding problems at Longstone Park which include damage and graffiti - and graffiti and smashed windows in the town's centre.
The police say they have upped their surveillance in Longstone Park as well as a result of on-going problems which have incorporated graffiti to doors, damage to the bowling green and the smashing of asbestos boards.
The bowling club has its clubhouse in the park, and the tennis club also meets there.
Continuing outbreaks of vandalism elsewhere have included graffiti being sprayed on Caradon council's newly installed SMART scheme pay and display machine in the car park behind the town's Fore Street Co-op store.
Other recent events have included £1,000 of damage caused by smashed windows - at Underhill's Chemist, Hunt Associates and Piglets.
A police spokesman said the security cameras will help police detect crimes, and reduce the impact of crimes. Running costs of the cameras are estimated to be around £30,000 per annum, which would be found by Liskeard and Saltash town councils.
Saltash town council contributed £7,500 to the overall scheme, which cost £184,000, with other contributions from Caradon council, the government run crime reduction programme, and the single regeneration budget.
There has been a slight delay in putting up the CCTV signs in Saltash as the signs are not statutory, and permission had to be sought from owners for alternative fixings.