THE streets of Radcliffe are now safer following Tuesday's official switch-on of a new, all-seeing network of CCTV cameras.

Radcliffe -- as well as Prestwich -- has benefited from the latest crime fighting scheme after the Bury Community Safety Partnership successfully bid for £1 million from the Home Office.

With 12 of the 34 cameras in Radcliffe, CCTV is set to play a major part in keeping the area safe as well as hopefully encouraging more people to use the town.

The equipment will provide 24-hour coverage and includes highly-specialised software to aid in the identification of suspects and their vehicles.

Bury council's chief executive Mr Mark Sanders explained: "These new state-of-the-art cameras will ensure widespread coverage of the streets in both Radcliffe and Prestwich.

"We put together two very good bids and we were extremely pleased to find that both were accepted.

"Now, with the CCTV systems operating, I am sure that they will bring the same kind of immediate benefits to these two towns as they did elsewhere in the borough."

Head of Bury Police, Chief Superintendent Andrew Holt, added: "We are confident that the CCTV cameras will help us prevent or detect crimes like drink-fuelled assaults, ram-raids, street robberies and burglaries at shops or offices.

"This is excellent news for everyone who uses these town centres."

Both schemes were given the total backing of the council's area boards in both town.

They in turn worked closely with local people and businesses to ensure the success of the bid.

The bulk of the funding for the cameras -- around £1 million -- was secured from the Government's CCTV Initiative Round 2 Crime and Reduction Programme.

Other financial contributions were made by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, London Associates plc and Bury Metro.

The scheme is supported by the Community Safety Partnership agencies and Government Office North West.

The location of Radcliffe CCTV cameras is:

Spring Lane adjacent to Metrolink car park; Blackburn Street junction with Derbyshire Street and Pilkington Way; car park at the rear of Radcliffe Pool, adjacent to Green Street; car park Dale Street, adjacent to Pilkington Way; Radcliffe Bus Station off Dale Street; pedestrian area in Blackburn Street, at junction of Deansgate.

Radcliffe centre car park, adjacent to Thomas Street and Seymour Street; piazza, Blackburn Street junction with Church Street and Stand Lane; junction of Stand Lane, New Road and Pilkington Way; Milltown Street on easterly side of Metrolink bridge; west corner of Walter Street and Knowles Street; southerly end of Festival Gardens, Church Street West.