CRIMINAL and vandals will now be watched day and night in Leigh and Wigan town centres, with the introduction of electronic "eyes".

The £380,000 system consists of 52 cameras, which produce high quality pictures covering all the key town centre junctions, car parks and Leigh Civic Square.

The cameras will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Greater Manchester have the ability to tune in and control cameras in cases where they have received special intelligence information.

Deputy Council leader Tom Sherratt said: "We are convinced that this comprehensive new CCTV system is going to be a very powerful ally in the fight against crime and vandalism. Evidence from all over the country shows that having the cameras there does act a deterrent to people bent on acts of theft, violence and destruction, whereas law abiding citizens have nothing to fear from them. Albert Waterfield of Waterfield's Bakery in Leigh will unveil a special plaque at Wigan Council's Central Watch Station on May 13, to officially commemorate the start of the CCTV system.

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