An online and in person vote on whether CCTV was wanted by the community in Huntly has found overwhelmingly in favour of the proposal

THE community in Huntly has voted in favour of having CCTV in the town.

Huntly Community Council canvassed local opinion on the plan with an online and in person ballot which closed at the end of September. At the group's meeting last week it was reported that of the 1026 votes cast, 850 had supported CCTV.

A working group is to be formed and Theresa Lee, a supporter of CCTV who has previously extensively researched what might be required and put the case for camera coverage in the town centre will be invited to share her findings.

Chairman Tony Gill said: "I am not too surprised by the result but we had to go through the democratic process. The community council won't be doing this on its own, we need to form a group, which will include Huntly Business Association, which will work on its own on the project.

"There will need to be cash raised in the community as the cost won't all be available in grants."

Councillor John Porter said that he understood that the business community was keen to have additional protection for the town centre.

He added: "The police need to be asked where they would like to see cameras but funding will be the critical thing."

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