More than 200 people were arrested in Witney in the last year after being caught on CCTV cameras - but authorities are unable to say how many were charged and prosecuted.

District councillor Louise Chapman said: "It's helped cut the fear of crime, it's resulted in arrests, and it's helped save lives. I think without CCTV Witney would not be the place it is now."

There are now 26 cameras covering the town centre, which are monitored 24 hours a day. The scheme was set up in December 2001 and costs about £40,000 a year to run.

Between March 2003 and March 2004 the system recorded 962 incidents ranging from lost children to arson.

How many of the 209 arrests resulted in convictions is unclear because the courts do not tell the police the results of cases, but councillors are convinced they have made the area safer.

District councillor Ian Hudspeth said: "It is a bit anecdotal, but when we put cameras at Burwell Drive or the skate park at the Leys it really cleared up antisocial behaviour.

"A lot of it is minor crime that isn't picked up otherwise, stuff that people would almost say what's the point of going to the police, what are they going to do about it?"

The town council, which under the previous mayor was hesitant about CCTV's effectiveness, is supporting the scheme and contributing £10,000 a year to running costs.

The cameras captured 177 examples of antisocial behaviour, 61 assaults and 38 shoplifters.

Camera operators have also seen people collapsing, allowing them to send an ambulance, and have found lost children in busy shopping areas.