Newly-released figures show more than 500 people were arrested after being captured on CCTV cameras in the last 18 months.

Studies also show the people of Hartlepool are right behind the CCTV network – and most of them wish they could have one near their home.

Last year, 338 people were caught on the monitors. Another 197 were arrested this year in the period up until June.

The figures were revealed as part of an investigation into the town's CCTV system, which has been hailed a success by residents and council chiefs.

Community safety bosses at Hartlepool Borough Council are to investigate new ways of funding the town's cameras in the future.

They include asking police and businesses, such as takeaways and bars, that benefit from the cameras to help pay towards the cameras.

Cash from people fined as a result of CCTV footage could also be pumped back into the service.

Councillor Rob Cook said: "We have got to consider the safety of the public of Hartlepool. Whatever the contribution is from businesses it is only going to be small and they would pass it on to customers by increasing their prices.

"One way or another it won't cost them anything."

The proposals are all part of an ongoing inquiry by Hartlepool Borough Council's regeneration and planning services scrutiny forum into how to develop CCTV in Hartlepool.

A recent survey of residents found more than 90 per cent of people supported the cameras to fight crime and improve safety.

And two thirds of people feel the cameras have reduced crime in Hartlepool town centre and in other areas of the town.

Alison Mawson, the council's head of community safety and prevention, said: "The survey results show the residents of the town are very supportive of CCTV.

"Most of them said if they had the opportunity they would like to have a camera near their house. It does make people feel safer."

Hartlepool Borough Council spends £140,000 a year to run around 80 cameras across the town including £76,000 to Housing Hartlepool which monitors them round the clock.

Developers behind major planning applications could also be made to provide ducts as part of building permission to reduce council costs of laying expensive fibre optic cables.

Members of the forum are due to be rubber stamp a the recommendations to be included in a final draft report when it meets again on September 4.