TWO rape suspects were among 150 offenders captured on camera last month by eagle-eyed CCTV operators based at Bournemouth police station.

New figures show that 19 alleged kerb crawlers were filmed in Boscombe with two alleged robbers caught on film.

One person was detained under the Mental Health Act and a |child neglect case was detected.

Twenty-four alleged assaults were videoed along with 13 suspected thefts and six drug offences, including a suspected dealer.

Three drink-drive offenders were interviewed by police, along with one disqualified driver.

Calls from council CCTV operators led to 79 arrests, compared with 50 during September 2011, with more than 1,000 incidents dealt with and footage seized for evidence in 82 cases.

Mobile cameras were used in 61 incidents, leading to 17 arrests for offences including public order, assault, theft and kerb crawling.

Commenting on the figures, Bournemouth council’s safer and stronger communities manager Andy Williams said: “We are committed to continual investment, maintenance and updating of our CCTV systems as they play a vital role in helping us to tackle local crime and disorder.

“Thanks to the dedication of the CCTV camera operators and the immediate action of the police, these arrests were made. We will continue to work with the police in order to ensure a safer Bournemouth for everyone.”

Bournemouth town centre councillor David Smith praised “the good work” of CCTV operators which led to the “huge increase” in the number of incidents CCTV operators handled.

Cllr Chris Wakefield, who represents Boscombe, where a large number of the incidents were filmed, said: “CCTV cameras act as a good deterrent – we have just installed one in Boscombe Chine Gardens following a spate of incidents there.

“We have cameras on the shopping precinct and strategically placed throughout Boscombe. These figures clearly show that extensive CCTV coverage can detect offenders and help bring them to justice. However, we still rely on local residents helping to combat crime.”

Cllr David Smith, cabinet member for communities, said the increase was not down to a rise in crime.

“In fact, violent crimes were down on last year. It’s really down to the excellent vigilance of the CCTV operators,” he said.

“We’ve also got half a dozen mobile CCTV cameras now and we can dot them around the town depending on where the hotspots are.”