Last updated at 15:51, Sunday, 17 February 2013

AGEING CCTV cameras in Barrow are set to be replaced – but almost a third of cameras in the town are set to be switched off.

Barrow Borough Council is set to accept the offer of a grant of £100,000 from the police to replace 13 cameras in the town centre, and three in Dalton.

The scheme is expected to cost £270,000 in total, with the rest of the money being sourced from capital funding and a government transition grant.

The cash will pay for new cameras and recording equipment. It will also cover their upkeep and maintenance for a five-year period.

However, six cameras would be lost as part of the new plans, with the council saying those to be removed will be selected on their usefulness in detecting crime.

Members of the council’s executive committee will vote on whether or not to accept the £100,000 grant, and to allocate funding to the project.

Leader of the council, Councillor Dave Pidduck, said he believed the grant should be accepted.

He said: “Our CCTV cameras have been in operation for a number of years.

“They have functioned but it is time for a change and this is an opportunity for us to do that.”

Cllr Pidduck said CCTV helps the police to secure convictions but it was too early to say which cameras would be switched off.

He said the council would speak to South Lakeland District Council to see if it wanted to continue an agreement between the two councils, where footage from cameras in Ulverston is monitored in Barrow.

Cumbria’s police and crime commissioner, Richard Rhodes, said: “The office of the police and crime commissioner has invited the six district councils to apply for £100,000 to be matched funded by the district council to tackle anti-social behaviour.

“District councils have until February 22 to give a statement of intent and I welcome Barrow Borough Council’s (expected) decision to move forward to the formal business case stage.”

The executive committee is due to meet on Wednesday at Barrow Town Hall at 2.30pm.

First published at 15:15, Sunday, 17 February 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk