CCTV has been installed in Ulverston town centre following increased concerns of anti-social behaviour.

Security cameras have been put up in Ulverston in a bid to help deter incidents of vandalism and anti-social behaviour from taking place.

South Lakeland District Council gave the thumbs up last year to install three security cameras in a number of streets in Ulverston, including: above Helen Gee Hairdressing in the corner of Market Street, above the Wolftown shop in Market Place and above the Kings Arm Hotel in King Street.

The positioning of two cameras in Market Street and Queen Street are replacing CCTV cameras that were removed 10 years ago.

According to the plans, the new CCTV cameras are smaller and more discreet than the original cameras - but will provide ‘optimum positions’ for police coverage.

The cameras were funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner and Ulverston Town Council will pay for the installation and the ongoing maintenance.

The cameras will be monitored at police HQ in Penrith.

In 2020, Cumbria Constabulary, in partnership with local authorities, identified areas where additional investment in CCTV infrastructure would best serve to protect communities, monitor crime and reduce anti-social behaviour in local towns.

It was announced that Ulverston would receive three new cameras and Ambleside one, while Windermere is already home to four active cameras under phase two.

Barrow saw 13 cameras installed during phase one, including two on Egerton Court.

Mark Wilson, South Lakeland District Councillor, hopes the installation of a new security camera will prevent anti-social behaviour in the town centre.

He said: "We have had a number of incidents of vandalism which we're hoping CCTV will prevent.

"We had someone climb and wreck the Christmas display a year or two ago, vandals have pulled down trees and lights from the County Square roundabout, Jubilee Gardens have been attacked - this has to stop.

"These cameras we hope will help in the preventing of anti-social behaviour in the town centre by dissuading such behaviour or alternatively by sending recordings of such to the police to investigate.

"Views across the town will be monitored to see what is working well and what could be improved."

The installation comes after increased concerns over the number of anti-social behaviour incidents in Ulverston over recent weeks.

Earlier this month, The Roxy cinema in Ulverston was targeted by vandals who caused hundreds of pounds of damage to a door window.

Northern Morris Cinemas' managing director Charles Morris said The Roxy had been 'plagued with antisocial behaviour' for weeks.

Previous to this, the former Ulverston Police Station was broken into and vandalised in the days following Christmas.

Sergeant Paul Mellard has raised the issue of anti-social behaviour in Ulverston as a 'community priority' - and said parents can help by ensuring their children behave in a responsible manner.