SECURITY at empty shops targeted by vandals has been stepped up.

CCTV cameras have been added to boarded-up shops after several spates of vandalism in Barrow town centre.

Lying empty, Debenhams, WH Smith and nearby shops in Portland Walk have been the target of vandals.

Now the shops have been tightly boarded-up to stop windows being smashed while CCTV in place warns potential vandals against damaging the units further.

Some stores have also been broken into. 

Police are attempting to combat vandalism in the town centre with unruly youths thought to be behind the damage.

The units have been empty since the closure of Debenhams, WH Smith and The Body Shop.

Nearby, the former British Heart Foundation store has also been targeted. Jenny's Stitches and Cumbria School Uniforms in Dalton Road have had windows smashed.

Following increased patrols and work in the community, vandalism is said to have reduced.

Barrow MP Simon Fell has suggested how incidents can be reduced, pointing to funding from the Government that could boost the town centre.

He said: "Like so many issues there isn't one simple answer to this. Our councils, Police, local charities, and community groups all have a part to play.

"Since meeting with local entrepreneurs in Barrow a few weeks ago we've liaised with the police, store owners and youth groups and it looks like - with increased patrols and targeted work - this has dropped off.

"But long term we need to ensure there is more youth provision in the area, and also get those shops reopened.

"A vibrant town centre - something with the Town Deal and Levelling Up Fund are catalysts towards creating - is a crucial step in the right direction.

"People want to step in and the new university campus will provide the right environment for businesses to invest, but solving this issue is going to take effort from the whole community."  

Barrow Council is looking at mobile CCTV cameras to combat anti-social behaviour, a measures that is said to have been successful in Carlisle.