WAREHAM Quay could be in line for a crime-busting CCTV camera if the town council votes in favour.

Plans to install a £4,631 "heritage-style" dome camera on the quay are due to be discussed at a meeting of Wareham Town Council on Tuesday.

Spy cameras were installed in the town centre two years ago, but last summer the quay was hit by a number of crimes, including vandalism of boats.

Now the council, in connection with Dorset Police and the Eastern Division Crime Reduction Partnership, want an additional camera which would cover most of the quay and part of Abbots Quay, and be directly linked to the existing monitor at Wareham police station.

Funding has already been agreed and ongoing maintenance of around £2,500 a year will be met by the town council.

Karen Jaggs, community safety officer at Purbeck District Council, said: "The town council has been allocated the money for the CCTV camera from CDRP as part of the group's successful initiative to keep crime levels in the district low.

"With a number of busy pubs in close proximity and large groups of people having a tendency to gather on the quay, there have been a number of alcohol-related incidents in that area in the past. The role of the CCTV will be to act as a deterrent and an evidence-gathering tool."

Town mayor Cllr Les Burns said he expected the camera plans to be approved by the council.

He added: "What the council is hoping to do is extend CCTV in Wareham. The police have been able to show the results - a number of people arrested thanks to the cameras."

The plans are subject to a successful planning application to Purbeck District Council.