THE introduction of another HD CCTV camera to Launceston at the bottom of Pennygillam Industrial Estate was reported at the annual meeting of the Launceston Community CCTV project, which took place on Wednesday, June 1 at the White Hart Hotel.

Over the last 12 months since the previous AGM, the projects chairman John Ellison and his trusted band of volunteers were able to receive a £2,000 grant from the Cornwall Community Foundation Crimebeat Fund, a massive help in raising the £9,000 required for the installation of the camera and the upgrading of all existing cameras to an HD standard.

The new camera is now perched on the top of the big Spry’s garage sign, opposite Philip Warren’s butchers.

This was quite a significant occasion for the project, as it has taken over five years of campaigning and liaising to get it fitted.

Mr Ellison offered his gratitude and sincere thanks to the Cornwall Community Foundation Crimebeat Fund, Phil Spry for agreeing to let them use the spot and Philip Warren for his £1,000 donation towards the project.

While Mr Ellison was pleased with his work on the cameras themselves, he was also extremely appreciative of the camera operators who give up their time to voluntarily watch over the goings on in the town and was delighted that there were now seven operators in total.

He then continued by praising the work of the street pastors who provide such a calming and positive influence around Launceston, especially on Friday and Saturday nights when the pubs and bars are at their busiest.

Town councillor and chairman of the management committee for street pastors, John Harris thanked those who help them go about their work.

Things are also looking healthy on the projects’ financial side; secretary Peter Rowe reported a £6,937.67 profit increase in their accounts a phenomenal turnaround from a year ago when their accounts held £3,126.

Following the chairman’s reports, the election of Dawn Rogers and Peter Rowe (previously the vice-chairman) to the role of secretary and treasurer were officially announced having both fulfilled the roles at short-notice since last year when Alex Shaw and Anita White resigned from their roles.

Mrs Rogers until the AGM was a non-voting committee meeting member because she didn’t represent a stakeholder but was unanimously voted in as a individual member, one of two allowed on the board.

Over the next year, the project are looking into the installation of cameras at Launceston Castle and close to the Westgate Inn, which is the only pub in Launceston not to have a camera next to it.

The next AGM is scheduled for June 7, 2017.