Extra CCTV cameras wanted

One would be needed to cover the riverside walk and the other to cover the area immediately to the north of the new shops, says Martin Garrad, police crime prevention design adviser in a letter sent to Wealden Council with the planning application.

He says that like other towns Uckfield suffers from crime and disorder issues associated with groups of youths and a current crime trend is criminal damage in the town centre area.

'The introduction of the new riverside walk, whilst providing a welcome facility, does bring too the potential for additional abuse, especially during late evenings,' he says.

Mr Garrad recommends the walk is lit with lamp standards and monitored by a new CCTV camera connected to the existing scheme recorded at Uckfield Police Station.

He asks that the developers enter into an agreement to provide the cameras which would cost in the region of 24,000.

Mr Garrad added that as long as the restaurant remained designated for restaurant and caf use, rather than as a drinking establishment, 'it is likely to help the area develop into a pleasant environment attractive to a wide cross section of the community'.