POLICE officers were deployed to more than 20 incidents last month after being alerted by the footage on CCTV cameras in Ulverston town centre.

Ulverston Police Inspector Dave Spedding said the aim of the cameras was not to catch people committing crimes - it was more about prevention. He said they were proving a very useful aid for officers in the town.

In December alone, police officers in Ulverston attended more than 22 incidents after being alerted by CCTV operators concerned that crimes may be committed. The incidents involving youths were in the Queen Street, Victoria Road, Union Street, Station Approach and the Rose Garden areas of the town. Police arrested only one person after attending all 22 incidents.

Inspector Spedding told Ulverston Town Council this week: "If we get there in time we can diffuse the situation, which prevents violence, nuisance and public order incidents breaking out.

"In December we were deployed 22 times, which is nearly one a day. I am pleased as it shows that the CCTV is proving effective and without it things in Ulverston would be a lot worse."

Insp Spedding is urging people in the town who do have a problem with crime in their area to contact him.

"I would like people to come to me direct if they have a problem and I will see what we can do. My door is always open," he said.

Coun Colin Hodgson said: "I am convinced that Ulverston would be a worse place to live if we didn't have CCTV and I believe it has been money well spent."

January 16, 2003 13:30