I was asked to accompany a number of officers in the new police mobile CCTV van as it was driven around the streets with the cameras rolling.

And after more than six hours, and nothing of any note to record, it became evident what a useful tool the van was in preventing any trouble, fighting or crime.

The evening began at 8pm when Sgt Nick Husbands explained the van would be taken down to Batchley, where there have been problems with anti social behaviour and groups of young people congregating around the shops.

When we arrived, there were a few small gangs hanging around but after noticing the highly visible van many of the youngsters just smiled and waved, obviously aware they were being watched.

After leaving Batchley the van was positioned at different points around Redditch, including the town centre.

But despite hundreds of revellers being out, nobody caused any trouble in front of the CCTV cameras.

Alcohol was confiscated from underage boys twice on two separate occasions and five men were stopped and warned for urinating in the street.

We were called to reports of a minor scuffle outside Time nightclub and a man was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

But at no time during the evening was the van needed to record an incident or was there anything incriminating caught on camera.