MORE than 100 people have been arrested in the last eight months after being caught on camera in the Hambleton district.

A total of 113 arrests were made in the Northallerton, Thirsk, Bedale and Stokesley areas thanks to the network of closed circuit TV cameras.

The wide range of crimes involved varied from criminal damage and burglary to shoplifting and public order offences.

Only last month two burglars were arrested after they had broken into a store on Northallerton High Street – the CCTV operator gave the police a description and directed them to the two men.

Some 240 police enquiries resulting in 139 "evidential packages" being issued for interview and court purposes have also been handled - and now the system operators are gearing up for what is expected to be a busy festive season.

The work of the team which looks after the 44 cameras scattered around the district keeps Hambleton in the top 15 council CCTV systems in the UK.

"We are working hard to keep us in the top part of this league," said Hambleton’s head of service – communities Mick Jewitt.

"One of our most recent successes was when an operator reacted to a message on the police radio and by using the cameras was able to direct officers to the area were two burglars had made off after being disturbed breaking into a shop in Northallerton."

The CCTV team also plays an active part in the "Business Against Crime Hambleton" scheme - known as Bach.

It enables retailers to contact CCTV staff and the police via a two-way radio link or by phone about any shoplifters or criminal activity they are experiencing on their premises - and since April the network has assisted in the arrests of 22 people for theft or on suspicion of theft.

Mr Jewitt said: "With the build up to Christmas the CCTV team is well prepared and ready to support the police and local retailers during this busy period – we want out market towns to have a crime-free festive season."