Crimes may be going unsolved because town centre CCTV cameras are not being actively monitored, a traders’ group claims.

The Braintree Against Retail and Business Crime Group (BARC) has expressed concerns about cameras controlled by Braintree Council.

The council is considering scrapping its CCTV funding in Braintree, where it currently controls eight cameras, as part of a budget review.

George Yard Shopping Centre monitors its own cameras around-the-clock, but CCTV elsewhere in the town is not constantly monitored.

BARC claims that cameras have been facing away from incidents when crime occurs.