TRADERS are calling for CCTV cameras to be installed in their area after a smash-and-grab ram raid.

The postmistress at Barnards Green Post Office, in Court Road, Malvern, said monitored CCTV cameras might have prevented the cash machine theft.

And the head of Barnards Green Traders also wants to see monitored cameras set up in the area.

Malvern Hills District Council has four mobile CCTV cameras for the district, although there have been none in Barnards Green for at least the last three months.

Postmistress Jenny Cain said: "Maybe it would have stopped what happened here. I think there's a definite call to have it now.

"If we have CCTV we have to have it monitored otherwise it's reactive and not proactive.

"I know there's the argument it's all a bit Big Brother but if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to worry about."

Jane Knowles, the head of Barnards Green Traders, said: "Ideally we would have something like the pan, tilt and zoom cameras that they have in Worcester.

"We definitely need two in Barnards Green. Someone needs to watch it. They will only make a difference if they are monitored, otherwise they are just keeping evidence.

"We understand that monitored CCTV will be a question of major resourcing and increasing the budget. I'm a realist."

Ms Knowles said alternatives such as community policing might be more financially efficient than cameras.

The calls come after thieves smashed through the front of Barnards Green Post Office with a mechanical digger on Thursday, April 13.

Barbertown's Malvern Parlour, in Barnards Green Road, was also damaged last month when vandals smashed a window at the shop.

Amanda Smith, community services manager for Malvern Hills District Council, said: "We took the decision about ten years ago to remove our fixed CCTV cameras from across the district in favour of mobile CCTV cameras.

"This allows us to cover more of the district, target our activities in areas where it is needed most and is more cost-effective.

"The mobile cameras were upgraded 12 months ago and operate at a number of locations across the district at various times, including Barnards Green.

"Locations are chosen based on local intelligence and in liaison with our partners in the Community Safety Partnership."