AFTER a two-year wait and almost 30 acts of vandalism, householders in Thornbury have finally secured an ‘indispensable’ CCTV camera for their neighbourhood.

What started off as minor damage to cars on Crispin Lane and around St David’s Road in Pullins Green turned into increasingly elaborate acts of vandalism, with gates being ripped up on one occasion, in the last few months.

Thornbury Town Council along with Avon and Somerset Police and residents decided that the only course of action was to set up a camera to monitor incidents.

The CCTV has now been given the green light and will be installed in Pullins Green on Thurday.

Town Cllr Emma Bone lives in Pullins Green.

She said there had been about 29 incidents over the past year, including windscreen wipers being stolen, wind mirrors being torn off and a case of drug-dealing.

It is believed that many of these acts are alcohol-fuelled attacks.

She told the Gazette: "The police had applied for a CCTV camera about two years ago but they had been turned down. About 12 months ago some residents asked the police to apply again.

"It will act as a deterrent. Hopefully people will see that there’s a camera there and go away."

As crime in the neighbourhood is sporadic and does not appear to follow a pattern, a CCTV camera will also allow police to finally get some leads to explore.

She added: "I see it as a preventive measure but if something serious happens then the police will have evidence."

Residents such as Keith Varney, whose gates were torn off by vandals last September, had been in favour of installing a CCTV camera on the street.

Mr Varney, who lives on St David’s Road, with his wife said: "Our biggest apprehension is of living the house for a short time. We were away for a week when they took the gates and they took them on the very first night. You do feel vulnerable. These people do things with total disregard for other people's feelings."

A few years back teens also threw a Coca Cola bottle at his car, denting it.

"The camera might be a deterrent. It would also give us reassurance."

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said: "Arrangements are now in place for the road to be coned off so that we can install the camera on Thursday.

"Letters were hand-delivered to residents on Monday 27 explaining that the area will be coned off while this work is carried out."