CLOSED circuit television cameras are up and running in Liskeard, in a bid to cut down vandalism and crime in the centre of town - although the entire system will not be fully operational until later this month.
Installation of the five CCTV cameras within central Liskeard has taken place in conjunction with a similar scheme in Saltash, which has also been the target of vandalism over the past years.
Five cameras have been set up in Liskeard, with four now operational, with all of the three in Saltash now connected. Liskeard town council has contributed £7,500 to the overall scheme which cost £184,000. Contributions towards it also included £110,000 from the government run crime reduction programme, £25,000 from Caradon district council and £32,600 from the single regeneration budget.
Project manager, Jerry Masters of Caradon district council, said the whole scheme will be 'fully operational by mid January.' Community policeman for Liskeard, Sgt Dave Cartwright, said the cameras would help police detect crimes, and reduce the impact of crimes. The cameras in Liskeard are located at sites including the Cornish Times offices in Bay Tree Hill, the kebab house in West Street, Purdy's Bakery in Bay Tree Hill and the NatWest bank in Dean Street. Running costs of the cameras are estimated to be around £30,000 per annum, which will be found by the two towns.
In Looe investigations are being made into providing a CCTV scheme for the town centre. At a police liaison meeting, held at the end of last year, it was said it was hoped the introduction of CCTV there, increased police presence in the summer months, visits to licensed premises and introduction of taxi ranks would all contribute to a reduction in violent crime. Crimes in Liskeard at the end of 2000 included vandalism in Old Road, and, the Public Hall and the toilets in Westbourne car park.