A CCTV system, which has helped police make hundreds of arrests, is to go digital.

An inspection report shows 384 arrests were made between January and December last year, thanks to the CCTV operators working with police in Darlington.

Darlington Borough Council has 128 cameras, linked to the control room in the town hall, which also monitors private cameras and equipment for other organisations.

Last year, the control room staff dealt with 47,625 general phone calls and 81,936 calls connected to the warden link system, which they monitor.

On Tuesday, September 18, the council's cabinet will be asked to release £120,000 to update the CCTV control room's recording equipment.

It is hoped the digital equipment will improve efficiency and make it easier for other services and organisations to benefit from the service provided by Darlington's CCTV.

If the funding is approved, it is hoped the digital equipment will be in place by April next year and a phased switch over from analogue would then take place.