Work has begun on the installation of CCTV and new and upgraded street lighting as part of a raft of measures to make one area of a town safer for residents.

Using part of the £200k funding issued by the Safer Streets fund, the CCTV installation will aim to bring down crime in the area by acting as a deterrant for potential offenders. 

West Lancashire Borough Council in partnership with the Police and Crime Commissioner and the police, are working together on crime prevention measures which are aimed at reducing theft and anti-social behaviour, with four new CCTV cameras part of the scheme.

Columns for the cameras are currently being installed at four locations across Skelmersdale: Birch Green Road Roundabout; Northway/Asda Roundabout; the rear of Firbeck Dental Surgery and another close to the Ecumenical Centre.

A CCTV consultation has taken place and no objections were received.

Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said: “These crime prevention measures are proven to work and will make criminals think twice before engaging in illegal activities.

"It was clear from research done by my office and Lancashire Police that simple measures such as CCTV, improved lighting and motorcycle barriers can reduce crime significantly.

“I want the people of Lancashire to feel safe in their communities and homes and the prevention measures this funding will put in place will go some way to doing that."

Lighting has already been upgraded in all of the areas identified in the original plan, with additional lighting added onto those schemes, and further lighting improvements being considered.

Birch Green in Skelmersdale is one of only two areas in Lancashire to receive funding to help reduce crime and make communities safer.

This is after a successful joint bid by the Police and Crime Commissioner and the council to the Home Office's Safer Streets Fund.

The Council was awarded almost £200k to fund measures such as CCTV, improved street lighting and motorcycle barriers as part of the Safer Streets funding initiative and is aimed at making residents feel safer in their homes.

West Lancashire Borough Council portfolio holder for Communities and Community Safety, Councillor Gareth Dowling, added: "The safety of our residents is a top priority and I'm delighted to see work begin on the scheme.

"Residents can be confident that we will continue to work in partnership with the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner and Lancashire Constabulary to deliver a safer West Lancashire for everyone."

The police are also promoting their new initiative Lancashire Talking, which aims to get the county talking about how the police can improve their service and will also be looking at opportunities to engage with the local community to communicate the nature of the work being done to reduce crime in the area.

West Lancashire Community Safety Partnership chair, Heidi McDougall, said: "I hope that these positive changes are making a real difference to the residents of Birch Green.

"This is a perfect example of how we can work with our partners to deliver effective measures that really help to keep our communities safe."