FOOTAGE from Bournemouth’s mobile CCTV cameras has led to the arrest of 354 people over the past two years.

More than 1,400 incidents have been caught on the town’s six mobile cameras since their introduction two years ago.

They have been positioned in 55 different locations across the town and offences caught on camera include assault, public disorder, burglary, theft and kerb-crawling.

In 2010/11, before the introduction of mobile cameras, Bournemouth’s network of fixed CCTV cameras recorded a total of 10,825 incidents.

In the 2012/13 financial year, when the fixed CCTV camera network was supplemented by six mobile cameras, the number of incidents recorded rose to 11,582.

The mobile cameras, together with Bournemouth’s network of fixed CCTV cameras, have resulted in 2,829 people being charged during 2011/12 and 2012/13.

Cllr David Smith, cabinet member for planning and environment, said: “The mobile CCTV cameras have proven to be a huge success and are extremely effective since they were introduced two years ago.

“They have enabled the council to tackle the antisocial behaviour hotspots where there currently isn’t any coverage from the town’s fixed CCTV cameras.

“This is a cost-effective solution for both the council and the police to help improve community safety throughout the borough.”

And Bournemouth neighbourhood inspector Mike Claxton, said: “CCTV footage that shows a clear image of someone responsible for an offence is excellent evidence for us to use.

“The mobile cameras have given the police extra capacity to position them in certain areas, helping to solve local problems.”

Areas where the mobile CCTV cameras have been installed include West Cliff, Westbourne, West Howe, Kinson, Redhill, Charminster, Boscombe and Springbourne as well as being used at events such as the Bournemouth Air Festival.