CCTV operators in Hambleton have helped police to make 48 arrests this month for assault, theft, drugs and criminal damage offences, and operators also monitored a man passing counterfeit £50 notes, leading police to him.

Cllr Peter Wilkinson, deputy leader of Hambleton District Council, said: “By passing this information on to North Yorkshire Police, three travelling criminals from Manchester were arrested as part of the force’s Operation Hawk. This is a great result for our system of cameras. People need to be aware we are always watching the town centres.”

Hambleton has 44 cameras – 25 in Northallerton, 11 in Thirsk, three in Bedale and three in Stokesley – controlled from the civic centre. The CCTV team has also dealt with 85 enquiries, issuing 57 discs of evidence and 43 photographs for interview, court and follow-up use.