Cameras roll to cut crime

There are seven cameras in the CCTV system, which was due to go live' today, each monitoring a different point around the town centre.

West Craven Area Committee chairman Coun Margaret Bell said: "Earby residents told us that they wanted CCTV cameras and so the area committee has been working hard to design a scheme that would work well and to find the money to make it happen.

"The Earby scheme is part of a wider West Craven project, which the area committee began with a contribution of almost £50,000.

"Funding for the CCTV system, which will help make people feel safer, has also come from the sale of land and developments in Earby. The CCTV project just wouldn't have been possible otherwise.

"The cameras have been put in prominent places around the town centre to combat people's fear of crime and deter potential offenders from causing problems there."

The new CCTV network has also been funded with money from Lancashire County Council and Earby Parish Council.

Pendle Community Safety Partnership gave £20,000 towards the cost, and West Craven Together has given £30,000.

A scheme already operates in Barnolds-wick.

Dale Frankland, chair-man of West Craven Together, said: "I'm pleased that West Craven Together has been able to make a contribution towards CCTV in Earby.

"It's a fantastic tool in combating anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, town centre nuisance and violence, and will help to regenerate the centre of Earby."

The CCTV system is to be monitored by volunteers working with Earby police.

Sgt Andy Cartwright said: "Lots of people have come forward to help monitor the new CCTV system.

"They're going through the recruitment and training process now and will be ready to help us crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour in Earby very soon.

"In the meantime, the team of community volunteers who monitor Barnoldswick's CCTV cameras will be working with us to keep a watchful eye over Earby."