POLICE chiefs are confident of winning Government cash to help fund a network of 25 crime-busting CCTV cameras in Rossendale town centres.

A bid for £700,000 of Home Office cash for spy camera schemes in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale has cleared the first hurdle and Chief Superintendent Mike Griffin is sure that the projects will meet Government criteria and the cash will be released.

It is hoped that the money will pay for eight new spy cameras in Bacup which will work alongside the town's existing six cameras and the crime-fighting community radio scheme. There is already a privately-funded scheme in the pipeline to pay for a CCTV camera at a Bacup school which will also be linked up the the main police control centre in Burnley.

The scheme will also fund six cameras to be set up in Haslingden town centre.

And Waterfoot residents' association is trying to raise funds for four cameras to be set up in the town and linked through to Burnley.

But Rawtenstall residents have been left disappointed as the town has been left out of the cash bid.

Chief Supt Griffin said: "I know residents always think there is a problem with crime in their own particular area, but Rawtenstall is not in the bid because to be included you have to show that there is a considerable problem in the area."

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