A MAJOR new installation of video cameras designed to catch Bolton criminals 'in the act' in all the main town centre council car parks will be switched on next week. Four new CCTV cameras will be the first phase of a £270,000 project designed to make Bolton a safer place to shop.

They are the first of a new scheme of 12 cameras , due to be installed in the next few months, on Stanley St South and College Close, Blackhorse Street, Great Moor Street and Dawes Street.

The remaining cameras are set for Breightmet Street car park, River Street, Clarence Street, All Saints Street, Back Cheapside, the Railway Triangle, Falcon Street and Johnson Street.

In all, this will complete CCTV coverage of every notable town centre car park. The new cameras will provide security coverage for 900 car parking spaces.

It is estimated that 250,000 cars a year will be parked on the 12 car parks.

The scheme is the result of a partnership between Bolton Safer Cities, Greater Manchester Police, Bolton Council and APCOA, the car park operators.

It has been funded by the council (£110,000), Safer Cities (£10,000), APCOA (£10,000) and Marks and Spencer (£40,000). The remaining £100,000 came as a result of the council's success in the last Home Office CCTV competition.

Cameras have been positioned to cover the access to the car parks and in some cases reach slightly beyond - to provide a safer environment for anyone walking past in addition to protecting the car parks themselves.

Bolton Council will be providing 24 hour monitoring of the cameras. New procedures put in place make sure that the video footage can only be used by authorised employees and police officers.

The intention is reduce car crime in the town centre and attract more people both during the day and in the evening.

This latest phase complements cameras already in operation throughout the town centre in Bradshawgate, Deansgate and Great Moor Street.

Bolton Chief Supt John Bartlett said: "These additional cameras will greatly assist in making Bolton a safer place to visit and go about your business."

Sheila Battersby, co-ordinator of the Bolton Safer Cities Partnership, said: "The reduction of car crime around the town centre is a Safer Cities priority. This scheme shows just what can be achieved when everyone works together."

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