THE fight against crime in Ulverston got a boost this week as the town's new closed circuit television system was officially launched yesterday.

Police hope that the nine cameras, situated in strategic positions around the town and monitored from police headquarters in Barrow, should cut crime on the streets of Ulverston.

Inspector Dave Spedding told the Gazette: "I am sure we will get some results from it.

It will help us to deal with the anti-social behaviour which I know people are concerned about at the moment."

The cameras were paid for with a Home Office grant of £150,000 and they will be managed and maintained by South Lakeland District Council.

Inspector Spedding explained that footage from the cameras could be used as evidence in court and could help to secure more convictions.

He also said it would help to deter crime in the town.

Ulverston mayor Coun Dave Miller said: "We have been talking about CCTV in Ulverston for a long time and a last it is here.

The thing to remember is that it is not a spy in the sky and people who are not committing crimes have nothing to fear from it."