OFFICERS and members of Rossendale Council visited the closed-circuit television police control centre at Burnley.

They were given a guided tour and a demonstration of the six cameras in Bacup centre.

They were shown colour cameras with zoom lenses which can read a number plate at 200 metres.

Councillor Michael McShea said: "Everyone was very impressed by the quality and clarity of the pictures.

"This will undoubtedly reduce crime in Bacup and add to the safety of the public."

The next stage is to install a live monitor in the library window to demonstrate the effectiveness of the cameras.

Coun McShea also welcomed the possibility of extending the CCTV system into Stacksteads in the near future.

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