YOBS could have a price on their heads if new ideas to prevent crime get the go ahead. The town council has been asked to contribute to a kitty to reward youngsters if they shop their mates to community bobbies. But the scheme has been criticised for creating a bounty hunter mentality. Cllr David Cox asked councillors at Tuesday's finance and general purpose meeting to consider throwing £100 into the pot. He said that it would give community officers more ammunition in tackling anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and graffiti. 'It is interesting that even small amounts of money can encourage people to tell on those who are causing trouble. 'It could be that the people who are doing these sorts of things don't know they are breaking the law and if we can identify them, then it means that the police can point out the error of their ways alongside parents. 'We need to have a joined-up approach to tackle this,' he said. But Cllr Sylvia Russell said it was setting up 'a bounty hunter scenario, 'I can understand a reward scheme if it leads to a conviction, but frankly you are setting up a scenario where people will tell on their mates just to fund their next drug fix. 'Everyone is spying on each other and if our youngsters start doing it then when is it going to end?' she said. Mayor Cllr Geoff Bladon, a former policeman, said that it was worth considering if it would stop the criminal damage in the town. 'If youngsters are shown the error of their ways at an early stage it could stop things getting worse and put an end to the graffiti, criminal damage and the nonsense in this town,' he said. The council will consider the proposal at a future meeting. Councillors also supported police proposals to put temporary CCTV cameras around the town. The cameras will cover different areas every few weeks to keep an eye on trouble hotspots. Latest figures show a reduction in crime in the town. Cllr Cox said the police deserved praise for the reduction that has been brought about 'by Dixon of Dock Green policing and CCTV'. Chairman Cllr Fred Tooley said that he had noticed a big difference since community wardens and support officers were appointed a year ago. 'It is like a different place now, especially in the evenings. They should be congratulated,' he said.
