The additional 20 cameras mean the town now has 152 CCTV devices focused on trouble hot-spots across the town, all monitored from the Council's CCTV Control Centre in Middlesbrough Bus Station.

Another 12 static cameras will be installed in central Middlesbrough in the near future following a Safer Streets grant, while four more "rapid deployment" cameras can be moved around as required and will focus mainly on back alleys to protect properties.

The Council is also currently considering dozens of applications for a share of an initial £10,000 community grant to install smaller CCTV devices on private properties across known crime and antisocial behaviour hot-spots.

Mayor Preston said: "We aren't going to put up with trouble-makers, thugs and criminals causing problems and bringing Middlesbrough down.

"We are determined catch them and, if necessary, see them locked up. That will not only get them off the street to protect decent people but will send a very clear message to others involved in bad behaviour.

"We are taking the fight to the bad guys. We're dramatically increasing the number of cameras in trouble hot-spots but we have coverage right across the town.

"Soon we'll have 166 with many more on individual properties.

"This is all about helping make Middlesbrough safer, a better place to live and more successful as a destination.

"I'm well aware some people will see more cameras as an intrusion. I see them as helping decent people, freeing them from idiots and trouble-makers who damage their lives and our town.

"And if anyone doubts how effective CCTV is, let me tell them that camera footage has led to lots of arrests, prosecutions and frequently prison sentences."

All recordings caught by the cameras are relayed back to the CCTV Control Centre, recording 24/7 and monitored by a team of officers, who work closely with the police.

The recent installations include a new £15,000 investment in Grove Hill, supported by housing groups Thirteen and Habinteg after previous cameras there were attacked and destroyed.

"We've installed this secure camera in an area of Grove Hill that has attracted problems in the past and even saw previous cameras destroyed," Mayor Preston added.

"We're determined to capture the bad stuff that goes on there and make Grove Hill that little bit safer."

Examples of CCTV use (August and September 2020)

Robber arrested

CCTV operators were informed that a female had been robbed and assaulted in Henry Street, North Ormesby. Using the cameras, the operator located a group of youths close to the area. Details were passed to Cleveland Police, who located the male and made an arrest for the assault.

Male with knife arrested

Operators were alerted to an issue in the area of Cramlington Close in Hemlington, which had recently been fitted with a rapid deployment camera. The operator identified a male who was causing a disturbance and noted he was waving a knife around. A police armed response team was dispatched to the area, where the operator updated the Police of the individual's location. The male was arrested for possession of a bladed article.

Arrests following town centre stabbing incident

Over the Pub Watch Radio, which links direct to the CCTV, town centre door staff reported a disturbance outside their venue which resulted in an individual being stabbed. Operators identified that the group involved had split up, tracked them and identified the individual who had been involved in the stabbing. Two males were arrested.

Off-road bikes

During recent joint operations with the Police and the Council's neighbourhood safety officers, CCTV operators monitored the areas of Thorntree, Brambles Farm and North Ormesby for perpetrators on off-road bikes. The operators captured 10 perpetrators on CCTV and three bikes have been seized by Police.
 

• For the latest local updates and information, visit middlesbrough.gov.uk/covid19

For information on local help and support, visit Help Boro at www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/helpboro or call Middlesbrough Council's support line 01642 729777

The latest advice from Government and Public Health England can be found at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus