Carterton club seeks camera after crime spate

Vandalism attacks outside the Carterton Memorial Club, mostly to cars, has prompted a plea for a security  camera in the town centre.

Club President Martin Keedwell said yesterday there had been a spate of vandalism and other petty crimes outside the club, located on Broadway,  this year.

To deter crime, the club asked Carterton District Council to install a security camera outside the club, which the club membership would fund.

The council turned down the request but said it would establish a policy on cameras.

It was the second time a camera had been sought from the council after the club made a similar request more than 18 months ago, he said.

The worst case of vandalism involved a car belonging to a staff member that had been parked at the front of the club's main entrance, Mr Keedwell said.

Two tyres were slashed on the vehicle in the early evening.

In a separate incident, about the same time, a person had interfered with a car belonging to a club cook parked on the west side of the building.

Mr Keedwell said kids walking past the club at night also caused problems and had smashed an ashtray put out side the club for smokers.

He said the club was located in a ``rather dark'' part of the street and the vandalism had worsened after a nearby video rental store moved from the vicinity.

Carterton District Council refused to install a camera, saying it was ``unable to assist with their request at this time''.

However, councillors had proposed, off the back of the failed request, to establish a policy to be included  in the  district Annual Plan about the use and installation of security cameras in the central business district.