Monitored CCTV cameras where the operators are linked to up to 100 door staff and shop security staff by radio and are linked to the police radio network are as good as a thousand community spirited citizens on the streets as they can help target resources and gather evidence.No one is interested in law abiding people going about their business.But everyone is interested in the thief/or assaulter who targets them personally or the shops that have to increase prices to cover the millions lost to shoplifting every year.Is that not serving the community ?

CCTV cameras do not prevent crime. They don't prevent a drunk hitting another drunk, or a drunk smashing a window. They don't prevent a druggie stealing from a shop to fund his/her next fix. They might id an offender and will show the time of the incident. Shops and night clubs have their own CCTV - all the councils CCTV does generally is show shoppers walking about doing their business on Scotch St and English St. Spend the money on something for the community.

Anon. Speed cameras are operated by cumbria county council, not carlisle city council.

perhaps they should cut speed cameras too,,, but i very much doubt they'd cut an easy revenue making machine,, much easy th cut cameras which make nothing apart from looking out for the welfare of the citys residents ,,

@Bob - Firstly, Bob, I don't have a government. But if you're referring to the last Labour government, I have to say that it is news to me that they ruined the economy - I was under the (obviously) misguided impression that it was the rampant greed of the banking industry that was responsible.

Anyone who has seen the standard of the pictures on Carlisle's CCTV will know that this is no loss. It's worse than useless, the pictures are so bad it is almost impossible to identify anyone on it.

But Mr Evil Mcbad, your government ruined the economy for a generation which is why organisations have to tighten their belts.

"Richard Rhodes, Cumbria’s newly-elected police and crime commissioner, says it will make it harder to police the city. He is hoping to hold talks with council leader Joe Hendry."

Hoping? hoping to hold talks? Already we see the benefit of a commissioner! Talk about strong, positive action! GO RHODES!

@Brenda - doesn't everybody know that monuments and columns are known as ARTWORK and art has it's own separate budget. Arts money cannot be spent on anything else.

We could, of course, refuse all arts monies . . . ?

Or better still, go to the Arts council and ask them why they are spending all this money on rubbish art when it could be better used on CCTV cameras (and hospitals, the health service, education, roads, transport etc.)

Over to you Cumbria Police. Elsewhere in the country where CCTV has been switched off crime rates have not increased so if the police feel the need for it then why shouldn't they pay for it?