A NEW weapon is being used by council bosses to clamp down on people who are ruining efforts to keep Hartlepool clean and tidy.

Covert security cameras are now operational, allowing members of the council's environmental action team to monitor areas of the town affected by fly-tipping, graffiti, dog fouling, littering and fly-posting.

The cameras, some small enough to fit in the palm of the hand and capable of filming at night, produce high-resolution images that can be used as evidence in court.

They can relay live pictures to a laptop computer and will eventually be able to send images directly to environmental action team members' hand-held computers - ensuring a swift response.

Environmental action manager Craig Thelwell said: "We have purchased nine cameras at a cost of around £15,000, and we expect them to prove their worth in no time at all."

Our staff resources are limited, and these cameras mean that we are now able to monitor various parts of the town around the clock."

The cameras are expected to play a vital role in ensuring that efforts to improve Hartlepool's image in recent years are not wasted.