Almost 3,400 arrests have been made as a result of the work of Medway's CCTV hub.

The control centre in Strood, which looks after 750 cameras, covers Medway, Swale, Maidstone and Gravesham and came into operation in April 2012.

In the period up to August this year, 3,396 arrests were made as a result of the cameras in an area with a population of 600,000 people.

The majority of the arrests were for shoplifting, anti-social behaviour, assault and affray.

Cllr Peter Hicks, in charge of community safety at Medway Council, said: "This partnership with our neighbours has proved the value of CCTV in making people feel safer in their local areas, as well as leading to arrests."

"CCTV has a significant affect on crime" - Crime commissioner Ann Barnes

Crime commissioner Ann Barnes said: "Research from the College of Policing has highlighted that CCTV has a significant affect on crime when it is used in public areas.

"The partnership led by Medway shows the way forward for authorities in helping Kent Police to cut crime and make Kent an even safer place."

Medway Council approved the formation of a CCTV Services Partnership in 2012. It is estimated to save each local authority 20% of the cost of running their own CCTV service.

The change led to opposition in Maidstone as critics felt moving the monitoring operation away from the County Town would lead to a lack of local knowledge and cause delays in investigations where CCTV images were needed quickly.