A NEW TV network is about to be launched in Halton - but you won't pick up any pictures at home.

The 12 colour cameras will be focussed in Widnes and Runcorn town centres and have been designed to curb crime and improve safety.

The close circuit television cameras (CCTV) will be monitored 24-hours a day by operators on shifts.

The control room is based at Runcorn Town Hall with an additional monitor at Runcorn police station.

The system, pioneered by Halton Council, has the full support and co-operation of the police.

The scheme has been financed through SRB funding, a Home Office grant and Halton Council.

A spokesman for Halton Council said: "The scheme benefits community safety projects and would encourage investment and employment prospects."

To begin with, nine cameras will be positioned in Runcorn and three in Widnes. It is hoped the system will be expanded as the control room can accommodate 96 cameras.

Screens can operate to cover 16 cameras each if needed.

The quality and clarity of the pictures is so good, councillors are confident the CCTV system will cut crime and make vulnerable people feel safer.

The tapes will be logged and kept for evidential purposes.

The police will be able to request that the cameras be used to track incidents when necessary.

Tapes will be made of all viewing and will be retained automatically. Some tapes will be archived.

At a later date, cameras could be used on a part-time basis, for example, at schols or on after hours public transport.

Public bodies such as housing associations will be able to feed into the system to cover their properties. A monitoring fee will be made.

Halton's new CCTV system will soon be on line in Widnes and Runcorn town centres.

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