The recent spate of burglaries and vandalism against traders in Otley town centre is, if it goes unchecked, another nail in the coffin for the viability of the shopping area.

Calls for closed circuit television in the town centre have reached a crescendo, with traders at the end of their tether. How much longer will it be before the powers that be introduced cameras into the town centre?

Action is needed now, be it in the form of CCTV or more bobbies on the beat.

The criminal scourge must not be allowed to drive out the loyal traders of Otley who have worked hard against increasing competition from the big cities and out-of-town shopping centres to get their businesses on an even keel.

They can't afford to find their windows smashed and their stock rifled every week -- and if CCTV is the only way to alleviate these problems, then it should be implemented, no matter what the cost.

The problem is straightforward; the answer is simple. The town needs some investment in security measures. Police need to be properly resourced to allow more bobbies on the beat.

Perhaps the powers-that-be will bow to public pressure and even consider putting up security gates at Orchard Gate to protect businesses.

Either way, something needs to happen. Money is tight in this day and age, but the future prosperity of the town isn't something you can out a price on.

If employing a town centre manager is a way of bringing in more finances to implement security measures, then let's hope the post happens sooner rather than later.

Otley's prosperity depends on its reputation as a bustling market town. If trade is killed, Otley will be in danger of becoming a ghost town where businesses cannot thrive.

The victimisation of traders like the Simpsons at Parkgate Stores must not be tolerated any longer.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.