Time is running out to keep a vital crime-fighting service in Maidstone.

Maidstone council is considering a proposal to move its CCTV control room out of the town, to a new regional "hub" being set up by Medway Council in Strood.

The same cameras and staff would remain, but moving to a central base would save money.

But the move has been opposed by businesses in the town, which claim it would make shops and shoppers more vulnerable to criminals.

This week the Kent Messenger published an open letter to Cllr John A Wilson (Con), the cabinet member who will make the final decision, urging him to keep the control centre in the town.

You can download the letter by clicking here.

In this week's Kent Messenger, the Rev Jackie Cray used her column to back our campaign to save the control centre.

She said the removal of the service would lead to "less safety for volunteer teams like the Urban Blue Bus scheme...and the Street Pastors".

Maidstone Town Centre Management has also officially opposed the move.

Secretary Graeme Wyles told the Kent Messenger: "A move of the CCTV control room to a location remote from Maidstone will, in our opinion, be of immediate advantage to the criminal community."

To join our campaign, just download and print the letter, sign it, and send it to:

Cllr John A Wilson

c/o PA to the cabinet

Maidstone Borough Council

Maidstone House

King Street

Maidstone

Kent

ME15 6JQ