THE man hoping to become Rossendale's next MP has launched a petition to lobby for CCTV to combat crime in Rawtenstall Town Centre.

Nigel Adams, Rossendale's Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate is asking shoppers and traders to support his call for CCTV for the Town Centre.

His efforts follow a spate of break-ins and incidents that have caused serious damage to shopkeepers' premises.

Nigel said recent recorded incidents of theft and damage to shopkeepers premises included a break in and theft at Patricia's Flower Fair on Bank Street, damage at Pets Corner, windows smashed at Pickering and Molloy's Electrical contractors and a break in and arson at The Coffee Shop on Bank Street.

He said: "These sort of incidents appear to be happening with alarming regularity and traders have had enough. CCTV would enable the police to prosecute offenders aswell as act as a deterrent to the criminals.

"Currently, it looks as though offenders have identified an area that appears to have little protection and see Rawtenstall Centre as an easy target."

He said Rawtenstall' s Chamber of Trade were supporting the Conservative initiative. Member Tony Winder of Antony and Patricia Hair Salon said: "I have been saying that Rawtenstall needs CCTV for many years now and I'm delighted that Nigel Adams has formalised the campaign. I hope all shoppers will sign the petition as it is desperately needed."