A countywide £2.5 million CCTV camera network is due to be launched today. 

The project, spearheaded by crime commissioner Richard Rhodes, working with the county's six district councils and the police, will see 53 cameras installed. 

Eight will be installed in Workington and one in Maryport.

The system will be monitored by a dedicated team at police headquarters in Penrith.

Mr Rhodes said: “This is an exciting first for Cumbria. In every sense this is an innovative scheme and is the first of its type in the country.

“When I came into office in November 2012 there was the real prospect of all the CCTV cameras in the major urban areas across the county being switched off.

"Today, we have a state-of-the-art system which will be supported for the next seven years.”

It will be launched at police headquarters this morning.

Allerdale councillor Philip Tibble said: “We’re very pleased to have been involved with the partnership. It shall no doubt be an invaluable tool in crime reduction and prevention.”

There will be one camera installed in Maryport's Senhouse Street.

Cockermouth, Keswick and Aspatria will not have any cameras installed, but Mr Rhodes said the network, which will also cover Whitehaven, Carlisle, Barrow, Kendal and Penrith, can be expanded if required.

In Workington, the cameras will be installed:  

  • Opposite Yankees, Washington Street
  • Murray Road/Pow Street/Finkle Street
  • Workington Library, Oxford Street/Vulcans Lane
  • Seaton shops 
  • Moorclose 
  • Washington Street/Bridge Street
  • Pow Street