NEW schemes for CCTV cameras at Carterton and Chipping Norton will expand the monitoring network in west Oxfordshire to 41.

It will cost £170,000 out of district council funds, and have running costs of £15,000 each in both towns, to be met by local sponsoring organisations and town councils.

Images from three or four cameras dotted around both town centres will be transmitted to the monitoring centre manned by five staff around the clock at Witney police station.

The scheme met with the approval of the district council’s finance scrutiny committee last Wednesday, and now goes for approval by the cabinet on January 7.

Bill Oddy, the council’s head of community services, said investing in CCTV would help the night-time economies of both towns, including restaurants, pubs and take-aways, because of its contribution to improved public safety.

He added: “This is particularly so for elderly people and families who want to use town centres, as well as businesses and retailers.”

CCTV came to Witney in 2001 and now has 24 cameras.

An extra nine will be installed with the completion of the Marriotts Close redevelopment of shops and housing.