WITH reference to Mr Whittle's letter (September 8).

I think he greatly misunderstands what the CCTV scheme is all about.

CCTV is there to be used -- a tool to help the police to fight crime, not replace them. It is not the police who decided to initiate the scheme. It was both Horwich and Westhoughton Town Councils, together, in partnership with their respective local Chambers of Trade.

Unfortunately, both Chambers collapsed in on themselves, leaving both town councils with nobody to deal with issues. This is why both Horwich and Westhoughton are approaching individual traders and businesses.

I stand by my opinion about the response being "pathetic" -- because it is. Here we have a group of traders and businesses who, along with the residents of Horwich and Westhoughton, receive the benefit of a CCTV scheme. The town councils have, up to now, paid for the majority of the scheme. So where does Mr Whittle think we get the money from? It is the people of Horwich and Westhoughton through the precept which they pay to both Town Councils.

Horwich's precept total for 2004-5 is approximately £143,000. The scheme costs approximately £16,000. That means that the Town Council has to pay just under nine per cent of its total budget for the year on CCTV. Therefore the people of Horwich and 12 businesses pay for the CCTV scheme. They are part of the local the community. The local businesses expect the people of Horwich to go and use their shops. They are also part of the local community. What do the rest pay? Zilch!!

If the shops and businesses cannot afford £2 a week-- which they can claim as part of their business expenses, then, in all honesty, they shouldn't be in business.

As for a guarantee to the local traders about which way the cameras are pointing when their shops are damaged or burgled? There is a much better chance of catching the vandal or thief if the cameras were there and switched on, than if they weren't there. After all, even with more police on the streets, they might not see the criminals and vandals at work, or running away from their crime. But there is a good chance the cameras will!

Cllr John Cronnolley

Leader, Horwich Town Council

Victoria Road

Horwich

Bolton