POLICE and council officials have jumped to the defence of CCTV cameras.

Figures obtained by the Dorset Echo show the surveillance team run by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council helped police attend 362 incidents in the first three months of this year.

Police chiefs in London have claimed CCTV images have failed to have a significant impact in preventing crime but head of Weymouth and Portland police Inspector Pete Meteau said it is invaluable.

He said: "It helps us stop trouble early on especially in the policing of the night time economy.

"CCTV looks at other areas to help us prevent trouble and afterwards it is an invaluable tool in helping us arrest and identify offenders."

Inspector Meteau said Weymouth Police's sanction detection rate, the percentage of crimes for which someone is charged, summonsed, receives a caution or other formal sanction is helped by CCTV.

He added: "It is around 60 per cent which is extremely high and CCTV is one of the reasons for that."

Historically, half of the incidents logged by the CCTV operatives result in arrest and last year 1,873 were logged in Weymouth alone.

Grant Armfield, the council's safety manager, said the cameras have helped police deploy their resources effectively.

He said: "I think Weymouth is a much improved place with CCTV and the whole street scene is managed much better.

"Early intervention is key so having information on what is going on in the street and getting police the information quickly is key."

The CCTV operation began in June 2001 and now costs £366,575 per year.

There are 104 cameras spread across Weymouth, Dorchester and Bridport with their footage stored for 28 days before automatic deletion.

The CCTV team in Weymouth consists of two teams of six operatives with two data reviewers who respond to requests from police to check footage.

Incidents logged in Weymouth range from otters and deer spotted in the town centre to criminal damage, domestic offences and public order/anti-social offences, which are the most regular.

Spokesman for public safety and health, Coun Tim Munro said radio links from shops, pubs and clubs help CCTV operations.

He said: "CCTV has a huge social benefit to Weymouth as well as managing crime.

"It helps with lost children, rubbish being dumped, accidents and importantly for the Olympics it helps with traffic."