CRIMEFIGHTING in Kidderminster town centre has been boosted by the introduction of CCTV cameras, according to Wyre Forest District Council.

A review of their first six months of operation revealed that incidents caught on camera had led to the arrests of 27 people, as well as helping locate 19 who had been reported missing or wanted.

Almost 350 incidents had been captured since the seven cameras had gone live in February, with a quarter monitored on the one at New Road/Castle Road.

Anti-social behaviour incidents were the most common, accounting for 17 per cent of those spotted, with theft and suspicious people/activity - both 16 per cent - next.

The cameras have been funded jointly by the district council, police and Kidderminster Town Centre Partnership, with the scheme costing £130,000.

Councillor Nathan Desmond, the council's cabinet member for community and leisure services, said: "The evidence shows that the CCTV scheme is having a major impact.

"By working with our partners, we are showing how positive progress is being made in catching and deterring criminals and those involved in anti-social behaviour.

"The council is determined to make the town centre an ever safer place to work and visit and the CCTV system is definitely helping us achieve this."

The cameras are controlled and monitored at Bromsgrove District Council's CCTV monitoring station, where the images are continuously recorded.

Kidderminster's town centre beat manager, PC Clive Llewellyn, said: "The CCTV system in Kidderminster has been instrumental in various arrests, ranging from thefts and drink driving to violent crime, not to mention the system's important support in locating missing or wanted persons.

"Some of these incidents have been brought to the police's attention by the CCTV operators, which then allows us the opportunity to make early arrests and gather essential evidence, thus bringing perpetrators to justice.

"This new system has complemented the existing effective systems in Kidderminster, with a direct communication link already in place between the Town Centre Shopwatch - KRISP - co-ordinators and the Bromsgrove monitoring station."

He added: "From a police perspective, we will strive to continue building on the effectiveness of the CCTV system for the benefit of Kidderminster town centre, by working in partnership with Wyre Forest District Council and other organisations to prevent crime."