HIGH-TECHNOLOGY is being hailed as a major success for its role in the continuing fight against crime in the Hambleton area of North Yorkshire.

The spy camera networks in both Northallerton and Thirsk were used in almost 800 incidents over the past year - a 75 per cent leap on the year before.

But talks are still continuing on whether the system should be monitored primarily by the police or local authorities - and who should bear the future costs.

Northallerton has now had a town centre closed-circuit TV system since 1996 and the Thirsk system became operational two years later.

Over the last year both systems were extended with additional cameras installed in East Road, Northallerton, and at the new Nursery car-park in Thirsk.

New figures show that in the past year the systems were used, or assisted in, 796 incidents and a total of 81 people were arrested as a direct result.

A further 47 people were arrested or reported as a result of reviews of the tapes made by the camera networks.

"The system is still maintaining a high degree of efficiency and excellence," said a police spokesman. Incidents have risen, yet response and results have gone up accordingly.

"These results prove CCTV as an effective means of protecting the public and property within its parameters."

The police want to withdraw from the primary monitoring of CCTV systems across the county in two years time - a move which the local authorities concerned are not happy with.

The councils have now carried out a study of such a move which has concluded that there is nothing to suggest that the monitoring would be any better if performed by civilians rather than being carried out by police.

"The argument is thus one solely based on where the costs lie," said Hambleton's chief executive, Peter Simpson.

The local authorities are now working together over the issue and are jointly seeking a meeting with the Chief Constable, David Kenworthy