A NEW CCTV hub to crack down on town centre crime, that has cost almost £1million, has been officially opened.

The hub in King George’s Hall, Blackburn, will oversee 240 cameras in the town as well as Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Preston monitored around the clock.

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The project has been branded 'innovative' and Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Cllr Mohammed Khan said it will not only save the authorities money on their previous CCTV costs but it will also lead to more prosecutions and a reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Khan said: “It is a great opportunity for the people of East Lancashire and Preston.

"This will make the town centres safer. It is very positive and will save a lot of money in the long-run and hopefully we can get more councils in Lancashire to join the initiative.

“It will act as a deterrent and the operatives can lead police to crimes in progress. The evidence gathered can also be used to support prosecutions.”

A council spokesman said the hub, which cost £930,000, has access to both CCTV images, shop and pub watch radios and police radios to provide a reactive and proactive response to incidents throughout the area.

The spokesman added: “Operators can record live incidents and pinpoint officers to the exact location of crimes as they happen. Footage can also be shared to larger police stations across the county.

“Police in East Lancashire will be able to monitor people offending in different areas more closely and there will also be a direct link to the communications room at Lancashire police.”

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Bates said: “Knowing that local authorities are financially pressed I think it’s first of all creative and innovative to do this project with us.

“I think it will turn out that it will be more cost-effective and most importantly it will help us protect the people of East Lancashire and surrounding areas.

Blackburn with Darwen Council applied to the Home Office (DCLG) for funding under their Tackling Organised Criminal Gangs programme.

The grant was also boosted with contributions from the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner’s office as well from the Police Innovation Fund.