Upgraded CCTV 'a great resource' for police

An expansion of a county's CCTV network will help to fight crime, police have said.

Since 2022, CCTV has helped Cumbria Constabulary investigate hundreds of crimes and missing person searches.

The county's network has now been improved with about 40 new cameras added to provide wider coverage and clearer images.

Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Mike Johnson said the upgrade would be "a great additional resource" as it was not possible to "put a cop on every street corner".

The upgrade means there are now 120 cameras covering the area, including some with 360-degree capabilities.

Mr Johnson said the network helped officers "day in and day out" with inquiries ranging from tracking down sex offenders to finding missing people.

The force's CCTV manager Andy Petty said the quality would help police locate vulnerable people "more swiftly" and result in more offenders being brought to justice.

Follow BBC Cumbria on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].