SECURITY cameras could soon be put up outside Ferndown Community Centre in a bid to deter gangs of unruly youths from intimidating visitors.

Centre staff are currently having talks with bosses at the nearby Tesco store about erecting CCTV. The supermarket is also fed up with regular late-night disturbances.

In the most recent incident on a Friday night, around 100 teenagers - many drinking alcohol - congregated in the Penny's Walk precinct up until around 11.30pm.

Several windows at the supermarket were smashed.

The issue was raised at a meeting of Ferndown Town Council February 7.

General manager at the centre, Chris Cheesman, told the Daily Echo: "Something has got to be done as we are worried that it's putting people off coming to the centre.

"We are constantly receiving complaints from users as they feel intimidated by these people. We always phone the police but if it's a Friday their response times can be slow as they are probably busy.

"We have CCTV in the centre and we know that it deters the youths from running in and out. It therefore reinforces the need for cameras outside.

"I know it will be moving the problem elsewhere but this is a key area of the town where people are either coming out in the evening for entertainment or going shopping."

Town councillor Joan Howard, who is also on the centre's management committee, added: "These youngsters say they have nowhere to go. I suppose they aren't the type who would want to go to scouts or a youth club."

First published: February 8