Extra CCTV cameras going up in Northampton as part of Crime Commissioner's Safer Streets project

Northampton's CCTV security network is being expanded with the installation of 13 new cameras around the town.

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold forked out £97,000 on the 'eyes in the skies' in St Crispin's Ward from a £650,000 crime-fighting war chest funding his Safer Streets project.

Once spent, the money — part of a £1.45million government grant — will help boost the number of cameras across Northamptonshire to more than 400 in an effort to make streets safer and combat crime.

Mr Mold, said: “This investment in CCTV is for the benefit of community safety and will help us to detect crime and present additional evidence in criminal proceedings.

“Already, the Safer Streets funding has enabled us to provide security packs to more than 2,000 homes in Northampton, with a further 500 enhanced security packs being delivered to residents living in the most vulnerable areas.

"We have purchased 30 Streetpods, offering secure parking for bikes and have improved security for residents and visitors in a number of car parks in Northampton. We will continue to tackle crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour issues in areas where it is needed most.”

Borough councillor Anna King, cabinet member for community safety and engagement, added: “We are delighted to have received support from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to extend our CCTV network.

"It is the combination of enforcement and a range of community interventions that will help us to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour which affects residents and visitors to Northampton.”

The latest cameras being installed will extend visibility around Northampton General Hospital with locations on Billing Road, Cliftonville Road and Wellingborough Road plus an additional camera in Market Street car park.

Northamptonshire's CCTV control room monitors more than 400 cameras in Northampton and around the county with output recorded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to support police investigating crime and anti-social behaviour; improve the ability to track people suspected of committing a crime and to help identify witnesses to crime.

The county's CCTV camera network is also being extended in Wellingborough and Kettering, thanks to the Commissioner’s Safer Streets Scheme.