PLANS for a single crime-busting closed circuit television camera for New Milton have been put on hold for further investigation.

Town councillors this week deferred making a decision on whether to progress the scheme until they had looked at the legal details and carried out a cost benefit analysis.

Cllr John Trott was concerned about a letter sent to the council from New Forest District Council community safety officer Stephanie Sutton.

The letter claimed the town council was considering reallocating £10,000 previously set aside for CCTV to a project involving a neighbourhood warden.

Mr Trott said he was not aware of such a decision being made.

Town council mayor and New Forest District Council portfolio holder for crime and disorder Cllr Goff Beck said that warden projects were being considered for New Milton and Hythe.

However, no undertaking had been given by the town council to the crime and disorder review panel.

"That money sits in our budget for cameras," stressed Mr Beck.

Cllr Alan Rice said a past scheme for CCTV had shown 10 cameras around the town and predicted that if one was installed that was all they would get.

He said images captured by modern cameras provided great detail, suggested investigating leasing cameras and proposed deferring any decision.

Mr Trott, who has experience on the magistrates' bench, said that in the past the use of video images in court had been restricted because of the poor images.

Referring to changes in policing in the area, he said: "I don't feel that as we are the second largest town in the New Forest and we are going to lose our inspector of police, this is going to be a sop."

The proposed camera scheme will attract matched funding of £12,500 from the crime and disorder review panel plus £2,500 from the police force.