A HIGH-profile judge who rang a live radio phone-in to brand closed-circuit television (CCTV) "completely useless" has been condemned for his outburst.

Judge Peter Fox QC, the most senior judge at Teesside Crown Court, rang in when he heard an item about security cameras on BBC Radio Cleveland as he drove to work yesterday.

He told listeners that camera footage rarely led to a criminal conviction, cost taxpayers far too much and wasted thousands of police hours.

His remarks were dismissed by the Home Office and Crimestoppers, whose media appeals often rely on CCTV footage.

It is not the first time that Judge Fox has courted controversy. Two years ago the parents of a teenage girl assaulted by a lifeguard reacted with fury after he branded her and her friends "silly girls".

Yesterday, he rang Matthew Davis' morning show and told listeners: "Whether it is street CCTV, or shops or service stations, the footage is almost always so poor as to be useless.

"Valuable resources are being wasted by police and lawyers. Cases are costing enormous sums of money, poring over footage which turns out to be completely useless.

"CCTV footage is increasingly being used but it is extremely rare indeed for it to be of any use. I want to put in a plea for quality rather than quantity."

His claims were immediately contradicted by the Home Office.

A spokeswoman said: "Our evidence shows that CCTV is effective, both as a deterrent and for evidence. Also, early anecdotal evidence suggests cameras have led to a large increase in guilty pleas which saves a lot of time and money."

She added, however, that the Home Office had recently commissioned a three-year study into the effectiveness of the estimated 1,200 CCTV network across Britain.

Detective Sergeant Ken Parkin, of North-East Crime-stoppers, based in Chester-le-Street, has no doubts about the effectiveness however.

He said: "He Judge Fox is talking a load of rubbish. The majority of cases we deal with are solved with CCTV footage or stills.

"I estimate that between 85 and 90 per cent of cases involving CCTV footage are successful. Yes, the quality can be improved, but we never turn it down from the police because someone will always recognise the person on film."

Councillor Dave McLuckie, of Redcar and Cleveland Council, which operates 120 cameras, said: "I have grave concerns that someone so eminent in the legal profession should be so irresponsible as to encourage all and sundry to go out and commit crime by declaring CCTV evidence useless."

Darlington Borough Council says its network of 91 cameras, costing £1.5m, has been a success, resulting in more than 3,000 arrests.

But Middlesbrough Council, which has 60 cameras, has some sympathy for the judge.

Barry Coppinger, executive member for law and order, said: "The judge makes a valid point. Just installing cameras, without giving attention to factors like lighting or other aspects, doesn't make sense."