Campaigners fighting to get a CCTV system for their crime-plagued West Sussex town have reached the next stage of their battle.

A petition with more than 2,000 signatures from councillors and residents in Storrington will form part of a submission to be sent to the Home Office in two weeks.

The petition was organised by Storrington parish councillor Kevin Boocock after a sharp increase in vandalism, theft and assaults in the past year.

Sussex Police said it did not have the resources to monitor the area as regularly as residents and councillors would like so the CCTV idea was put forward.

Parish clerk Linda Spiers said: "Councillor Boocock worked really hard getting the campaign off the ground and people's responses have been extremely positive.

"The number of signatures is very high and shows the depth of feeling of people around here that the cameras are desperately needed.

"There are just a few more bits and pieces that have to be sorted out in the next few days, but the bid will be sent within two weeks and we shall have to wait and see what happens.

"It is great that something concrete is being done. Everyone has their fingers crossed."

The bid will ask for money to help cover the bulk of the £120,000 cost of three cameras.

The rest of the money will be met by the council and local businesses.

The cameras would probably be installed outside the library in the High Street and at the shopping centre.

Residents say crime has been getting steadily worse over the past year. Cases have included a stabbing, fights, vandalism, arson attacks and graffiti.

Richard Hoare, CCTV manager for Sussex Police, backs the move.

He said: "Storrington has always been a quiet town but there has been an increase in vandalism and public disturbances and that has worried a lot of people.

"Hopefully, the cameras will alert us to incidents more quickly and provide reliable video evidence at trials."

Andrew Edwards, a town centre newsagent, hopes the bid will be successful.

He said: "This is a nice town, but it is being ruined by vandals and criminals. Anything that can help to catch them has got to be a good thing."