MORE than 200 people have signed a petition calling for CCTV to be put into a troubled alleyway.

Residents want the cameras put in the alley between Trinity Road and Stornoway Road in Southchurch to help cut antisocial behaviour.

The alleyway has been plagued with problems and, in the most serious incident, a 56-year-old woman was robbed and slashed across the chest with a weapon on June 16 this year.

Nearby residents have also reported motorbikes racing up and down the narrow alleyway and there have been problems with graffiti and yobs shouting and kicking fences.

Dorean Martin, 64, who lives in Trinity Road, believe sinstalling a camera would be a good idea.

She said: “It would be a big help, but I can’t see the council doing it because it is very expensive.

“At least if there was a CCTV camera, they could tell the police if there is something kicking off in the alleyway. There are two people that come along on motorbikes and go up and down there.”

The petition is being organised by councillor Peter Ashley, who represents St Luke’s ward.

He started gathering signatures over the weekend and says there is a lot of support for the idea.

He said: “The residents have been very nervous about using the alleyway, especially women and young mums.

“There are kids down there lighting bonfires and kicking the fences in. My wife and I went out on Saturday with a petition and in Trinity Road alone we got 149 signatures. I’d like to see cameras at either end or one in the middle going to both ends.”

Mr Ashley said the petition will be put before the council when it has more than 300 signatures.