DARWEN is hoping it will be third time lucky in its bid to secure Home Office funding to introduce 'spy' cameras to the town centre.

Despite an increasing problem of violent crime and burglary in the area, the town has twice been refused support for the much needed Closed Circuit TV cameras.

But Blackburn with Darwen Council, the police and MP Janet Anderson have joined forces and are confident that the they will get the go-ahead when a decision is made next month.

The council has already underlined the importance of introducing the scheme by earmarking £50,000 from its capital programme funding. Now it is hoping it is successful in securing £40,000 from the Home Office to fund the programme.

Mrs Anderson said: "Darwen desperately needs a CCTV scheme in the town centre to combat the increasing problem of crime. In the past we have been unlucky because the money had already been allocated by the previous Tory Government.

"But I have spoken to Alun Michael, the minister responsible for CCTV funding, who has told me he is looking for innovative ideas and we are confident our bid meets all the criteria."

She added: "The Darwen scheme would be linked to the existing scheme in Blackburn which would mean it would be cost-effective."

Police Inspector Stuart Coates based in Darwen has already expressed concern about the rising level of violent crime in the town centre but said that the camera investment would be rewarded with results.

He said: "CCTV is the way forward in dealing with the bad minority and reassuring the good majority. While it is not the sole answer to combating crime, schemes elsewhere, especially the one in Accrington, have been successful in dealing with the problem."

If the bid is successful, four state-of-the-art cameras will be installed at strategic points and there will be the potential to add further cameras.

The cameras will be monitored 24-hours a day, seven days a week from the CCTV control room in Blackburn and from Darwen Police station.

Town centre manager Paul Isherwood said work would begin almost as soon as the Home Office gives the scheme the green light.

He said: "We have all worked very closely together on this and will be holding meetings in the coming weeks to decide the best positions for the cameras. The scheme has been very well supported by businesses in the town."

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