THE deterrent posed by closed circuit television in Bromsgrove has been brought into question with cameras being labelled as a "substitute for real policing".

Townsfolk and a human rights organisation have put the system under the spotlight after a recent number of incidents have appeared to go unnoticed from the camera's gaze.

There are 84 CCTV cameras in Bromsgrove, town car parks, train stations and surrounding areas each costing nearly £5,000 to run per year -- an annual total of more than £400,000.

Now townsfolk have started to ask if they're worth the money or even still a deterrent at all.

A spokesman for human rights organisation Liberty said: "I can understand how in a small amount of cases CCTV cameras can be very useful and do a good job. However, they seem to be being used as a substitute for real policing."

Most recently, in Market Place, a woman was shot in the back by an air rifle from a passing car.

The 65-year-old had just been to Blockbuster video store, in Market Place, and was crossing outside at around 9. 30pm on Tuesday, February 1, when two cars rounded the corner from Market Street into High Street.

She heard a click and felt a pain in the back. she later found a red mark where she believed a pellet hit.

The incident took place right in front of a mounted camera near to the video store on Tuesday, February 1. Police said this week they are examining the footage.

A few months before, a young lad was chased across town and into an alleyway where he was hit to the floor and kicked unconscious.

Annette Stokes, from Astwood Bank, Redditch, who shops in Bromsgrove, said: "I do not feel any extra comfort because of the cameras because they don't seem to deter people anymore."

PC Mike Morton, beat manager from Bromsgrove town centre, said: "We work closely with the CCTV operators to monitor activity in the town centre, and local residents are well aware it is there and how effective it is.

"It is unquestionably a very useful deterrent as well as an excellent tool for responding quickly to incidents as they happen and for identifying offenders."

John Moody, Head of Community Safety and Engineering for Bromsgrove District Council, added: "We are very pleased with the success of our CCTV system. It is a high quality, high-resolution system, which has proved to be very effective in both being a deterrent and in bringing criminals to justice.

"Staff man the system round the clock every day of the year."

One Charford resident, who did not want to be named, said he did not have a problem with the cameras but also never seemed to hear about police using them to catch a criminal. He said: "They should be used better for the money they cost."

However, Laurence Batey, from Lickey, added: "I think the cameras are a very good thing.

"If you have nothing to hide I cannot see a problem."