BURNLEY is pressing ahead in the fight to beat town centre crime with the introduction of a pioneering system of help buttons.

Each of the five clearly-marked points provide a direct speech link to the town's security camera control centre, itself linked directly to police HQ.

Burnley police boss Supt Mike Griffin said: "It is like putting an officer on every corner.''

The help points, to be officially unveiled next week, are at the bus station, on the central car park and outside McDonald's in St James Street, Marks and Spencer in Curzon Street, and Argos in the Market Square.

Each can be clearing monitored by the town's sophisticated CCTV system operating from offices in the shopping precinct and staffed round-the-clock by a private firm.

"Help points give people an instant opportunity to get in touch, whether they need police or any other emergency service,'' said Supt Griffin.

"Victims, witnesses, people who want to report missing children, or anyone seeking assistance can use a help point. Its also reassuring to know they can be seen on camera.''

Supt Griffin said the security cameras were the best crime prevention measure ever introduced in Burnley and had resulted in a marked drop in town centre offences.

The help points will be officially unveiled next Wednesday by Burnley Council leader Kath Reade, chairman of the Burnley Safer Cities Steering Committee.

She said: "Burnley Council was proud to lead Lancashire in being the first town with a centre CCTV system.

"With the installation of these help points, Burnley is again leading the county.''

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