ORCHARD Road industrial area in Royston is now a safer place due to a new closed-circuit television camera installed by Royston Factory Watch. Factory Watch has arranged for the mobile camera to be put in place on the estate. It can be moved between vari

ORCHARD Road industrial area in Royston is now a safer place due to a new closed-circuit television camera installed by Royston Factory Watch.

Factory Watch has arranged for the mobile camera to be put in place on the estate.

It can be moved between various locations in a bid to cut down on crime in the area.

Police Community Support Officer Penny Tomsett said: "The plan is to move the camera every three months on a rotation basis.

"However, if we identify any particular trouble spots we will be able to locate the camera accordingly."

Jerry Hoare, who represents Johnson Matthey on Factory Watch, said part of the cost of the camera was met by North Herts District Council.

Factory Watch has been up and running for two years with 35 businesses currently in the scheme.

Sgt Pete Frost, from the Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "Factory Watch has had a positive impact on the area, and we have seen a significant drop in incidents since it was formed."

Penelope Knapper, Herts Police Watch liaison officer, said: "There are several factory watch schemes up and running in Herts, but none are as well organised as Royston's.

"We hope to get the various schemes working together, and are in the process of creating a central information bank where they can make each other aware of crimes that have been committed," she added.