After a spate of criminal damage at a community hall, a local businessman has helped to fund the installation of a CCTV system.

Townstal Community Hall which suffered from criminal damage most recently in April, put out a plea to the community to ask for support in catching the criminals and securing the community hall with CCTV.

Julian Holliss who owns the BP fuel and SPAR forecourt store in Townstal Road offered to help fund a CCTV system for the hall. He contacted his security providers, Newton Abbot based Secure Force Ltd who agreed to fit a system at the hall which is run by the Townstal Community Hall Association. Mr Holliss and Secure Force is funding the installation on a 50/50 basis.

In April of this year, twice, opportunist thieves walked into the hall and on one occasion a handbag was stolen. The handbag was found later but the contents of the bag had been removed. Additionally, an expensive user group system was stolen from the community hall.

There were also cases of broken and smashed windows at the hall.

Mr Holliss said: “The community hall in Ivatt Road is a very important local amenity for the Townstal neighbourhood and I know first-hand how hard the whole TCP committee and team work to keep the hall functioning, so when I read that the hall committee could not afford to install CCTV, I saw an opportunity to help and work with the community in reducing crime.

“I contacted my security providers Secure Force and they were only too happy to agree to install a system at cost on a 50/50 basis with myself.”

Kris Hill, Technical Solutions Manager with Secure Force said: “We supply the security systems for all Holliss forecourts, as well as the contract for Julian’s new venture in Kingsbridge, and are delighted to be able to contribute towards this important community initiative.”

Steve Smith, Chair of both the Townstal Community Hall Committee and the Townstal Community Partnership, said: “Julian read of our predicament in the local press and contacted me to say he wanted to help and support us.

“He is arguably the most supportive independent businessman that we have in Dartmouth and for the estate of Townstal.  He has supported many community organisations over the years including the Townstal Community Hall and the Townstal Community Partnership, and we are extremely grateful to him for this latest gesture.”

“I hope this will encourage other businesses in the community to fund CCTV for local hotspots around Dartmouth.”

The community hall is used by clubs, societies and organisations in the town and hosts two youth clubs as well as functions, meetings, numerous events and weekly classes for various groups.