A team of volunteers is helping to make the streets of Falmouth and Penryn safer by helping to monitor the towns’ CCTV cameras.

They are part of an innovative multi-agency scheme which is believed to be the first of its kind in Devon and Cornwall. The initiative is part of a partnership involving Falmouth, Penryn and Truro councils together with Cornwall Council and the police.

So far, ten volunteers have been recruited to man the CCTV cameras at a central monitoring centre in Truro, but more are being sought to further increase the effectiveness of the CCTV systems.

The team is made up of people of varying ages and backgrounds and includes retired people, a student, an IT specialist and |part-time workers who want to help their community in their spare time.

The use of trained operators supplements the current operation and increases the number of hours the cameras are being monitored. All the new volunteers have been subjected to strict security checks and have received professional training to national standards.

Sgt Steve Parr, community safety sergeant for West Cornwall, said: “We are delighted at the success of this project which has only been made possible through all the relevant agencies working together. We are now looking to increase the scheme even further. Anyone who may be interested can contact me on 01209 611379.”