A CLOSED circuit television camera network which was installed ten years ago has helped police make 4,000 arrests.

The system started in Darlington in 1994, with 40 cameras around the town, at a cost of £750,000.

Since then, a further investment of £275,000 has seen the scheme extended to include the Firthmoor housing estate, where 13 cameras provide residents with around-the-clock security.

Another investment of £141,000 was used to link the town centre system to GNER's 24-camera scheme, covering the Bank Top station.

In 2002, six cameras were installed in the Stanhope Park area covering the Arts Centre, the sixth form college, Stanhope Road and Duke Street, at a cost of £120,000.

The same year, three cameras were installed at High Northgate, covering North Road from the Northgate roundabout to Morrisons supermarket at a cost of £40,000.

Cameras have also been installed in Eastbourne Park, North Cemetery, North Lodge Park and South Park.

The total investment in the scheme to date is in excess of £1.5m, with more than 100 cameras linked to the town hall camera control room.

All cameras have the facility to zoom, pan and tilt, with live, full-colour pictures relayed to the control room.

Darlington Council leader Councillor John Williams said, "The success of our CCTV system has enabled us to extend it considerably since it was first introduced.

"The partnerships we have developed with the police and organisations such as Crimenet and Pubwatch, and the vigilance of our CCTV control room staff, has brought dividends.

"The CCTV system has proved that it is effective at catching suspected criminals.

"It is a real deterrent against crime and it offers reassurance to residents and visitors to Darlington."

The cameras have also helped to almost eliminate car crime in Darlington's town centre car parks.

In 1994, before the cameras were installed, there were 374 incidents reported.

Since then, the figures have fallen dramatically, with less than 30 incidents reported last year.