What right," some will ask, "do the Government, police or security contractors have to pry into the privacy of the individual, wherever or whoever he or she may be?"

Ideological, emotional and legal concerns about privacy and personal liberty fuel anti-CCTV campaigns by groups such as Liberty.

Are they right? Are we entering into the world of George Orwell's Big Brother, where our every movement is tracked? Or are such groups missing the point?

We would argue that the latter is the case. Yes, we do regret the necessity of of CCTV cameras - but the plain truth is, they do reduce crime and the fear of crime.

We welcome, then, the news that Worcester's CCTV system is to be upgraded, with 36 of the city's 62 cameras set to be replaced with the very latest models.

Many high-profile cases have demonstrated how such systems have enabled the perpetrators of crimes to be identified and convicted.

Also, city council assistant engineer Stuart Stone is right to point out that the cameras are not there just to tackle offenders.

They help with finding missing children, calling ambulances to accidents and flood prevention.

We do have a word of caution, however. No matter how widespread your CCTV system is, it is no replacement for officers on the beat.