A CCTV system that has led to more than 2,000 arrests has been expanded and improved.

Insp Colin Black

In a joint initiative, Thames Valley Police, Cherwell District Council, town and parish councils launched a £500,000 CCTV system on Monday (November 25).

The number of cameras has been increased by 16 to 40, and 12 existing cameras have been moved to better locations.

The cameras are installed in towns and villages across north Oxfordshire, covering shopping areas, car parks, rail and bus stations, and industrial estates.

The cameras are linked to 18 television monitors at Banbury police station.

In addition, there are three mobile cameras that can be used at crime hotspots.

Supt John Liversidge, northern Oxford police area commander, said the cameras would provide footage of criminal activity which would be more reliable in court.

He said: "The cameras are designed to give continuity. Before, if someone walked along a certain road, we would lose them. Now, we can follow them and show whether they've dumped stuff en route.

"We have one deployment unit which means we can take the system out anywhere we want. If there's an isolated hamlet where it's impossible to have a police officer 24 hours a day, we can record live footage. This is particularly useful against anti-social behaviour."

Tony Stimpson, community safety officer for the district council, said the scheme was a valuable investment.

He added: "It's very useful as part of the partnership between the council and Thames Valley Police in the fight against crime and fear of crime."

In Bicester, Mr Stimpson said some cameras had been upgraded and others had been replaced.

He said: "They're popular with townspeople, and there are no blind spots."

Cameras in Market Square and Crown Walk have been upgraded, and new cameras installed in Victoria Road and in Claremont car park at the entrance to Deans Court.

Three extra cameras have been installed in Sheep Street at the corner with St John's Street and North Street, at the Bradford & Bingley bank and the Penny Black pub.

Banbury, Kidlington and Bicester town councils are paying £5,000 towards costs.