Cumbria's crime commissioner wants police chiefs to put plans in place for an extension of the county’s new £2.5m CCTV system. 

Richard Rhodes has called for details of where an extra 30 cameras could go as part of proposals to grow the network. 

Mr Rhodes was speaking after details were revealed about investigations which the cameras have been used for in the first month since they were switched on. 

These include inquiries into assaults, missing people and burglaries. 

The new set-up, covering key locations across places including Workington went live at the end of July after nearly two years of planning. 

The 53-camera system produces high quality images tto provide better evidence in court.

Mr Rhodes was given a rundown on how the new system was working at a meeting of his executive board in Penrith. 

Assistant Chief Constable Darren Martland said: “Is it of value? The categorical assurance I can give you is: Yes it is.” 

Mr Martland said it had been used in investigations including three burglaries, 18 assaults, 25 missing people cases, a crash and a report of a man with a knife. 

A proposal to expand the system to 83 cameras has already been put to Mr Rhodes. 

He said: “We are looking into extending this system. We are clearly making a judgement as to where the potential cameras could go. 

“It is something I would like to proceed with if possible.” 

The county’s chief constable Jerry Graham previously said the cameras would help direct resources to where they would be most effective. 

The system is being run from the Cumbria police communications centre at the force’s Carleton Hall headquarters, Penrith.

Police say staff will monitor it round-the-clock at peak times for trouble, such as weekends, with other trained workers on hand to step in at all other times. 

All images will be recorded and kept for 30 days, unless stored longer as evidence. 

CCTV systems were run in Cumbria by local authorities but came under threat during budget cuts.

Plans were then made for this new system, a joint venture involving Mr Rhodes, police and district councils.