FEARS that publicly funded CCTV is failing to tackle crime have been quashed by police.

Harwich town leaders quizzed officers over the effectiveness of cameras surveying Harwich and Dovercourt, which costs residents £5,550 a year.

Upgraded cameras were installed in May last year after police asked for funding.

After a number of town centre burglaries, including one where burglars took an hour to break in, councillors wondered whether police were relying on CCTV instead of patrolling the town.

Police officers said the CCTV was a vital addition to their armour had proved crucial in collecting evidence for the James Johnson attempted murder case.