Cameras helping to keep the peace

Hambleton's system of crime-cracking cameras has had another successful year – alerting officers to more than 420 incidents of anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, assault and drug offences.

Operators also dealt with another 907 enquiries from the police and shopkeepers. The CCTV cameras – which cover Northallerton, Thirsk, Bedale and Stokesley – helped the police make 162 arrests.

Pc Phil Bird, Hambleton Council's CCTV Police Liaison Officer, said: "These successes show how effective and valuable CCTV is to the police. The cameras help us with great success to identify offenders during or after an incident."

Traders in the towns covered by the cameras also benefit as the operators monitor the local Shopwatch radios and "ring around" systems to help shopkeepers fight retail crime.

Over the past 12 months, the operators have helped the police make 34 arrests for shoplifting alone. They have also supplied the police with 263 evidential packages for court and interview purposes.