POLICE chiefs in Weymouth have hit out at a new Government study that states CCTV does not reduce crime.

They have criticised the Home Office's national review on closed-circuit television, which concluded that CCTV has little or no effect on crime levels.

Inspector Paul Gillott, Dorset Police's East Weymouth Section Commander, called the report "unrealistic" and not a true representation of the town's crime-busting scheme.

He said the cameras have been very successful in cutting crime since they were introduced in June 2001.

The report from the Research, Development and Statistics Directorate, studied the effects of CCTV in a number of towns across Britain and in the USA during a 10-month period from June 2001 to March 2002.

The study also states any further funding of similar schemes should be based on "high-quality scientific evidence" that shows the efficiency of cameras in preventing crime.

But Insp Gillott blasted the review and said: "The results were very inconclusive and made no reference as to how each system works or to what extent they were supported by the local authority and police."

Dorset Police crime figures for Weymouth during the same period the 50-page report covers show the total amount of crime in the areas CCTV covers has gone down by 8.3 per cent from 975 to 894 against the previous year's figures.

The number of arrests have gone up by 14 per cent from 427 to 487 and shop thefts are down by two per cent from 155 to 151.

The figures also reveal assaults arrests have increased in the town centre by 16 per cent from 88 to 102 because the cameras are detecting them more. Vehicle crime has been cut by 48 per cent from 33 to 17 and dwelling burglaries have decreased by 94 per cent from 19 to just one.

Insp Gillott also said the mere installation of cameras has no effect on crime reduction unless there is an infrastructure to support their use. He added: " In Weymouth the CCTV control room also operates as a communication centre between the radio link, police and council enforcement departments.

"Statistically during the first 10 months of its use certain categories of crime were reduced, while crime detection and arrests increased."

He said it is important not to judge statistics over a relatively short period, but instead look at crime trends over a longer period of time.

Insp Gillott added: "CCTV also has a major role to play in the command and control of major events within the town such as the Military Veterans' Parade and the Carnival."

The town's CCTV scheme is backed by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council chiefs, who have invested in an improved radio system.

Now a dedicated tape reviewer and evidence gatherer has been employed through the Western Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, which is set to improve the police and council's ability to investigate incidents.