A Nottinghamshire town is pioneering a system for feeding police patrols information straight from CCTV cameras.

Camera operators in Newark will be allowed to contact officers directly and get them to trouble spots more quickly.

Previously CCTV operators could only make contact with the police through their control room, delaying information to officers on the ground.

The pilot scheme has been running in the Newark and Sherwood district for the past two months.

Policing tool

The scheme was found to help police and CCTV operators work together.

Jerry Butler, local area commander for Nottinghamshire Police said: "That saves valuable time which means we can get to situations quicker and we can control those quicker and obviously the evidence is secure."

Operators can alert police to possible incidents

It has already improved the chances of arresting offenders and could be considered for other areas of Nottinghamshire.

Ian Harrison from Newark and Sherwood District Council said closed circuit television has a role to play in preventing crime.

He said: "Cameras are only one answer to crime.

"They are only a policing tool - they are not the full result.

"We intend to continue work with the police analysing where the hot spots are and where the main problems are and then see if we can work together to extend the camera system."