THE future of a crime-busting spy camera system has become clearer after council chiefs announced plans to take over the successful scheme.

Senior figures at Hambleton District Council want the authority's staff to have control over the monitoring of closed-circuit television (CCTV) images when North Yorkshire Police withdraw from the project.

Fears had been expressed about the future of the system, which has helped bring about reductions in crime in Northallerton and Thirsk, after Chief Constable David Kenworthy announced plans to retreat from primary monitoring of images.

But after months of debate, council chief executive Peter Simpson and planning director Steve Quartermain are calling for the authority to take over the monitoring of pictures at the Racecourse Lane control room in Northallerton, from April.

They want the council to employ CCTV operators in March to allow time for training to be given by police.

The CCTV scheme, under the council's control, could also be extended into Stokesley and Great Ayton during the next year.

In a report to councillors, Mr Simpson and Mr Quartermain said: "Given the previous potential commitment to expand the system, it is an option to plan for a new scheme next year.

"It was envisaged that Stokesley and Great Ayton would be the next scheme and as Stokesley can use fibre-optic transmission, it makes sense to do this scheme first. An expansion of CCTV into Stokesley is therefore feasible."

It is also hoped that the control room can eventually be relocated to the civic centre, at Stone Cross, Northallerton.

The report said: "The length of time available in Racecourse Lane is unclear, but is likely to be a minimum of two years with a significant termination notice period.

"Subject to progress being made in discussions with the police, this would permit adequate planning time for Hambleton to relocate its control room.

"The suggested optimum location for the new control room is the former emergency planning room on the ground of the civic centre."