The redevelopment of St Mary’s Church could be key to helping stamp out anti-social behaviour in the churchyard square.
The Ashford town centre site has been plagued by vandals and yobs leading to some people moving out of the area, a council meeting heard.
But £1 million to provide an arts and community centre in the church could be used to fund better CCTV.
Cllr Gerry Clarkson (Con) said: “The development of the church has overwhelming support and should transform the area. Cameras have to be part of the scheme.”
A council spokesman said that improvements in security, such as CCTV and lighting, is being actively considered by the authority.
Last Thursday’s Ashford Borough Council executive committee meeting heard that the area at night was plagued by louts breaking windows and bottles, making noise and urinating in Churchyard Passage.
Resident Jeremy Adby, who raised a petition, called for CCTV in the area to be re-positioned because most trouble happened outside the present cameras’ range.
But Cllr Michael Claughton (Con), portfolio holder for community safety, said the cost of this was “prohibitive” as it would cost £25,000 to move the fibre-optic cables and £5,000 to remove and install cameras.
However he agreed the church redevelopment could increase surveillance.
He also said that police patrols had increased in the area and lighting had improved.
He added that since April 1, with more police patrols in the town and churchyard area, there had been a 20.5 per cent reduction in offences within the ring road.
Mr Adby’s home was on the route to three pubs and one of his own windows had been smashed, councillors were told.
Cllr Bob Cowley (Lib Dem) said: “I agreed that some progress has been made but more needs to be done.
“Pubs need to be made aware of what is going on around them, such as people taking glasses from their premises and smashing them in the area.
“Some people are moving out because of these problems. People feel intimidated.”