Jon, there are no traffic wardens in the entire of Cumbria. None, zero, zilch, zip, nada.

Whoknows - no it wasn't a war zone before, but people could fight, shoplift or run from police officers, they could safely find little corners to sell drugs etc. without being seen in real time. Also Eagle eyes, seriously - I'd watch it for free too (except for the fact I do work during the day). I'd certainly happily give up spare hours and go on a rota but surely the people who currently operate the CCTV cameras should keep their jobs, protecting the public, helping the Police and providing vital evidence which is often used to support cases in Court - leading to convictions. There is no secret as to where the cameras are, and if you are a victim of crime in a covered area, the Police can often arrive before you have the chance to call 999 because it has been witenssed in live time, by the operators. This needs a very serious re-think. Cuts may have to be made, but please consider making them in other areas. Yes I would happily lose traffic wardens in favour of CCTV operators - no disrespect to traffic wardens, but we are talking about catching criminals here and protecting the public.

John, Am I to assume that the streets were a war zone before these cameras were installed ?
Of course not, stop reading papers and watching news that scare you.

Funny they can afford an army of traffic wardens though.

I'd watch it for free!

I think that this is absolutely ridiculous. To say that there is less police would be an understatement, but then to cut the monitoring of the CCTV is ludicrous, thieves are going to be having a field day now!!!!!!!!!!!! Surely the shopwatch scheme needs the CCTV monitored in order to let the scheme run. This decision seriously needs to be reconsidered!!!!

If they are not live monitored, many crimes simply would never come to the attention of the Police. Those that do will be in hindsight, and people will have to spend time looking through footage to see if it is covered, then identification can become an issue. With live CCTV offenders can be "followed" through the streets and Police directed towards them. If this valuable resource is removed, then criminals are free to fight, steal and exchange drugs anywhere they like. Bad for everyone.

What people may not realise is that the live monitoring allows the camera to be pointing in the right direction and zoomed in on particular incidents as it happens. Without this detection rates will fall through the floor. It's not just about being able to alert the police at the time.

Poor Ray. I can assure you i know exactly how things work. Business rates are collected by councils, 100% of business rates (national non domestic rates) go to the Government who then dish it out on their formula.

A council has 0% interest in whether or not a shop is empty or not. It makes 0% difference to their budget.

The only tax levied by a Council is Council Tax which is levied on domestic properties only.

Stick to the day job, Ray.

With Police Cuts, No no LIVE CCTV, this town is going to be a free for all to committ crime etc. What about these shop owners, publicans, General public that feel 100% safer knowing that someone is watching over them. I think it is disgusting that the Council have taken this move. Allerdale re think your actions before things in the town get out of hand.