RISING crime rates in Cleator Moor have prompted interest in an £18,000 CCTV scheme.

Richard Rhodes, Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, spoke at a recent town council meeting and championed his countywide CCTV project which is monitored in Penrith.

Mr Rhodes said that the £2.5m scheme has deterred crime across Cumbria and saved money.

Several town councillors expressed interest in a single high definition camera for the town centre because of rising crime statistics. The scheme would cost £18,000 to install but this would cover maintenance, running and monitoring.

Mr Rhodes said: “Nothing can replace the effect of having a police presence on the street. But, I believe that these cameras are one of the best ways to deter crime with the budget we’re working with.”

The Conservative police chief, who will not be running for re-election in May, outlined what he believed to be his achievements since being elected in 2012 – such as tackling alcohol-fuelled antisocial behaviour, homeless ex-servicemen and domestic and sexual violence.

But he admitted that Cumbria was very diverse in its problems and that communities such as Cleator Moor can feel “isolated and exposed” because a lack of police presence.

Town councillor, Thomas Taylor, challenged Mr Rhodes on the lack of police presence in Cleator Moor and asked whether Whitehaven’s station would be shut.

Mr Rhodes said: “Jamie Reed asked me the same question last week and I will give you the same answer I gave him: there are no plans to shut Whitehaven Police Station.”

Councillors also praised the work of PCSOs in Cleator Moor in helping to build relationships with the community.

“I’ve always believed that PCSOs do the work that PCs used to do in gaining the trust of the community. I’ve rejected calls to give them the power to arrest because I feel this would erode this relationship that PCSOs have with people – and with young people in particular.”