Leyland to get CCTV cameras

The cameras will be officially unveiled in a matter of weeks near the community centre and shops in Dunkirk Lane.

The area had been highlighted in a police crime prevention survey, following complaints about youngsters intimidating shoppers.

Shopkeepers and landlords in the area teamed up to pay for them.

County councillor Anne Brown said: "South Ribble Borough Council, who run the community centre, Lancashire County Council, the landlords and shop owners have been planning the cameras for some time.

"Everyone involved was brought together by our community sergeant, who carried out a crime prevention survey of the area."

The cameras are part of a crime-busting makeover of the area, hoping to cut down on the groups of youngsters who meet near the shops and community centre.

Coun Brown said: "We have removed a sculpture that used to create a place where people met, stood and intimidated people using the community centre.

"We are also hoping to put play equipment on the village green and we're planning a youth shelter to take away some of the young people who kick a ball against the community centre in the evenings. I'm pleased to see that some things are happening at the moment."

Now Leyland police will have another weapon in their fight against crime and can use the tapes recorded by the cameras, standing on the edge of the village green.

Sergeant Ian Partington, of Leyland police, said: "It's mainly targeting juvenile nuisance. We've had a few serious assaults in the area, but mainly it's street disturbances.

"The cameras were thought of as a good option -- they're the first CCTV cameras in Leyland. It's quite a scoop that we have got them down there."

The plans for the cameras have been in the pipeline for a number of years.

Sgt Partington said: "They're a good tool in the prevention and detection of crime. We're one of the few medium size towns that doesn't have CCTV in the town centre -- we keep putting in bids but funding needs to be found."