A TELEVISION surveillance system to stop vandalism in a town park has gone into operation.

The equipment, installed at Shildon Town Council offices to overlook Hackworth Park, has been hailed a success after less than two weeks in operation.

Acting Sergeant Mandy Payne, of Shildon police, said: "So far it has been excellent. The zoom on the camera is absolutely phenomenal. It is of such good quality that you can zoom on to people's faces and see them clearly. You can also identify people from the colour and style of their clothing and hair."

She revealed that on the day the system went into operation, five youths were seen acting suspiciously in the park. When officers went to investigate, one youth was seen on camera hiding something under his foot.

Acting Sgt Payne said: "It turned out he had put a cigarette under his foot, but they were really shocked we could see such small details.

"Since then we have had no problems at all, because word seems to have got around how good the cameras are.

"They are not just there to stop anti-social behaviour, they are there to protect the people who are there to genuinely use the park."

The camera was purchased through a joint initiative between Durham Police Constabulary and Shildon's Community Safety Partnership.

It was placed in the park following a spate of vandalism in local play areas.