A CLOSED-CIRCUIT television system in Marske will be switched on this week to extend coverage across east Cleveland.

The three cameras are at the main roundabout, the retail area at Vicarage Drive and the car park at Windy Hill Lane. Pictures from the cameras will be beamed to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's central control room.

Funding from the Home Office's Crime Reduction Programme takes the number of cameras across the borough to more than 110 and the total investment since the first camera was installed in Redcar ten years ago to over £3m.

This latest bid was produced by Redcar and Cleveland Community Safety Partnership, with support from the Marske Town Centre Partnership. The council's lead member for community safety, Councillor Dave McLuckie, is convinced the £120,000 system will help reduce incidences of anti-social behaviour.

He said: "We have always believed CCTV is an extremely important weapon in the fight against anti-social behaviour.

"We do not pretend it is the complete answer but it is a proven deterrent. Trying to combat anti-social behaviour in all its guises, from gangs of youths intimidating people to problems of vandalism, is a key priority. We need backing from the public to report incidents of bad behaviour and the residents of Marske can be assured that the police and the council will use the evidence from the cameras to prosecute as and when necessary."