SECURITY cameras could be installed at all of Burley-in-Wharfedale's car parks after a spate of thefts.

Burley Community Council has appealed to the owners of the village's car-parks to fit CCTV cameras in a bid to deter car crime.

Dennis Warwick, chairman of Burley Community Council, said they were making the request in response to residents' complaints.

Mr Warwick said: "It has been reported to us that there have been some break-ins and attempted break-ins. One or two people are feeling insecure.

"This is a security measure for people who park their cars there through the day and night."

The community council has written to the various owners of the car-parks, which includes Bradford City Council and rail company Northern Spirit, after discussing the matter at a public meeting.

Mr Warwick said: "We have asked for the CCTV cameras to be placed at the West Terrace car park and at other car parks. We have not asked what finance may be raised for them but we are hoping it will come from Bradford Council and other owners."

A spokesperson for Bradford City Council said: "We do own two small free car parks in Burley-in-Wharfedale, one behind Queen's Hall and one in Main Street. We are not aware of any problems on either site.

"Council officers visited the car parks this week and we are trying to trace the owner of an abandoned car, which has been left on Main Street car park."

Mr Warwick says the problem of car theft has increased at Burley Railway Station car park since Menston Station installed its own CCTV cameras and became a manned station: "At the railway station things happen through the day and night. There are car thefts and break ins."

Mike Harris, secretary of the community council, said: "The railway station car park is consistently a problem. I can think of four of five cars being broken into. It does give people cause for concern about parking there.

"People are being encouraged to use public transport more and more, that means that the car park has got to be safe for them to leave their cars there. The cameras are an effective deterrent. People will look elsewhere for easy pickings."

Northern Spirit declined to comment but Sergeant Alan Gee, of Keighley Police, said that he would welcome the introduction of CCTV cameras in Burley.

He said: "There have been a few car crimes at the station car park. CCTV systems have proved effective in helping to reduce crime"