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Asda gets CCTV to curb thugs

A Cannock supermarket has been forced to install CCTV cameras in a bid to stop vandals who are going on the rampage and causing damage.

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A Cannock supermarket has been forced to install CCTV cameras in a bid to stop vandals who are going on the rampage and causing damage.

Thugs have again targeted the park opposite Asda in Avon Road, pulling up young trees, and smashing glass bottles. The park is repeatedly targeted despite being locked at night.

It was created by Asda as part of its conditions when the store was built and staff from the store are regularly having to clear up the destruction left by the yobs.

Now CCTV cameras are scanning the park to catch the offenders in the act.

Vandals are leaping the fences of the locked park and are then going on a rampage around the site.

Pat Slade, from Asda, said the store was aware of the problem and was continuing to try and stop the thugs.

She said: "It's like they try and collect as much glass as they can and then smash it all on the floor.

"In the past they have ripped up the rubbish bins which were held down with concrete.

"Our staff are over there every day and we do lock the gates at night but it hasn't stopped them getting in.

"Hopefully the CCTV cameras will help us catch the culprits and it is being monitored."

Store manager Andrew Perkins said the supermarket would deal with any incidents and he added: "We do have contractors and will clean up the mess and the situation is being monitored and we are doing everything we can to address the issue."

The supermarket has also brought in a hi-tech system to prevent yobs taking trolleys off the car park and dumping them nearby.

The electronic force field system automatically locks the trolley wheels and has set the company back by over £35,000 to £40,000.

Bosses at the supermarket were forced to act after complaints over the number of trolleys being dumped.

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