AN upgraded CCTV system is in operation across Rossendale.

A total of 19 new cameras are now in place in Haslingden, Rawtenstall and Bacup.

These are mainly in the town centres and are directly linked to the central CCTV hub for Lancashire.

The upgrade includes all new HD cameras, which provide much better quality footage, networked and connected to the CCTV hub - allowing them to be monitored 24 hours a day.

This capability was not previously available for Rossendale.

The police also have direct access to footage from all the cameras at the police station in Waterfoot.

The CCTV Hub is based in Blackburn and covers many areas across the county, including Preston, Blackburn, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

It has been centralised to increase safety for residents and to make savings on CCTV spends for councils across East Lancashire.

The hub operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and has access to both CCTV images and shop and pubwatch radios and police radios to provide a reactive and proactive response to incidents throughout the area.

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.

The upgrade, which cost over £100,000, was jointly funded by Rossendale Council and the police and crime commissioner, Clive Grunshaw

Cllr Steve Hughes, portfolio holder for communities and customers, said: "I am really pleased that Rossendale now has an upgraded CCTV system providing high quality footage and linked to the CCTV hub in Blackburn.

"It means we can keep our residents safer and join up more closely with the police and other authorities to crackdown on issues as they arise in a faster, more efficient way.”