DISTRICT leaders criticised for axing CCTV to save £40,000 have said the looming financial crisis is worse than the 'Armageddon scenario' they had been expecting.

On Wednesday night, angry Newton Abbot town councillors accused Teignbridge chief executive Nicola Bulbeck and leader Cllr Jeremy Christophers of taking the decision to switch off the cameras without consultation.

Alderman Henry Cole warned that muggers would 'move in like a load of wolves'.

News that cameras in Newton Abbot, Bovey Tracey and Dawlish are likely to be blacked out next April broke last week.