crime-BUSTING closed circuit TV cameras may be on the way for vandalism-hit Newport Quay.

The Isle of Wight Crime and Disorder Partnership announced this week it is to begin looking at installing cameras on the historic quayside as Newport harbour master Wayne Pritchett warned visitors were being kept away from the area because of the growing vandalism.

In the latest incident, a couple visiting from Southampton were set adrift in their yacht as they slept.

Mr Pritchett said the recent extension of the CCTV network elsewhere in Newport had simply moved the problem on to the quay.

He said attacks by vandals were now a weekly occurrence.

"Councillors are well aware of the problems on the quay and they say that something will be done but that it should wait for the overall development plan to be put in place," said Mr Pritchett.

"But that has been talked about for many years now and the problems of damage to quay facilities and boats is increasing all the time.

"Certainly, if there was a camera near the Jubilee Stores it would cover a large part of the quay which the kids seem to use as a playground."

Last year there was a questionnaire distributed to harbour users and we had over 1,000 back from visitors and over half complained about nuisance from kids at night.

"Often visitors who would have stayed for a week only stay one night because of the disturbance.

"In addition to nuisance there is evidence of a lot of drug taking. There are often discarded needles and I have personally seen a girl injecting her boyfriend behind a screen wall."

Sarah Holdstock, a co-owner of Odessa Marine boatyard said: "The council has put in new pontoons at tremendous cost but the word will get round that it is not a safe place to visit and people will not come here if something is not done.

Niki Haytack, crime and disorder manager, said she was aware of growing concerns about vandalism on the quay and they would be discussed at a public meeting that would be arranged in the coming weeks.

In order to bring a CCTV scheme forward, there must be evidence of a need for cameras and she urged all quay users who see evidence of crime to make sure it was reported.

"Installing CCTV cameras is something we look favourably on once there is evidence they are justified," she said.