RESIDENTS in Hag Fold viewed a safer Atherton through the town's CCtv cameras.

A party of estate residents were taken on tour of the council's Central Watch Station and saw at first hand views of the town centre through closed circuit television cameras installed 18 months ago.

They were told how criminal damage has reduced since April 1998, and of incidents in which information recorded has been used to catch and thwart would-be criminals.

Cllr Sue Loudon, who led the party, praised the partnership between police and local business people.

She said: "Three years ago the town was threatened every evening and particularly at weekends by criminals and vandals.

"Now, through the hard work and dedication of local traders, the police, and the local authority, Atherton is safer and feels safer. Records prove it.

"In a recent crime survey of people who live in Atherton and Hindsford they recognised the importance of CCTV in our town centres."

The Atherton and Hindsford Residents' Association now plan to visit Leigh police station.

And closed circuit cameras will shortly be in operation in Tyldesley and Hindley .

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.