A NETWORK of closed-circuit television cameras is recording ever higher success rates in helping North Yorkshire police achieve arrests.

There are 97 cameras operating in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon, Boroughbridge and Skipton.

When the system first started at Harrogate, in 1996, cameras helped police arrest 164 people. As the network extended to other towns that figure has exceeded 200.

Meanwhile, recorded incidents have leapt from 1,784 a year, in 1997, to 2,811 in this year.

The figures are revealed in the system's annual report by the Harrogate and District service.

Production of tapes as evidence has soared from 192 in 1996 to 536 in 2000.

The service is funded through a number of different sources including a 10p surcharge on parking.

Last year, the service was extended to cover Skipton town centre.

Meanwhile, the annual report, presented by Harrogate Borough Council, the district Community Safety scheme and North Yorkshire Police reveals there have been no complaints against CCTV about infringements of privacy or inappropriate use of cameras in the past year.

As a further aid to the system, council parking inspectors carry radios tuned to CCTV headquarters. The facility means inspectors can alert camera operators when there is a risk to personal safety. And a separate channel has been established to allow CCTV operators to keep in touch with inspectors.

Cameras have also been able to focus on illegal tipping, fly posting, vandalism to street furniture, hazardous rubbish skips and people damaging floral displays.