Cameras will be used to better target beat officers

The move follows concerns about anti-social behaviour and rising car crime in parts of Stockton.

The decision coincides with the delivery of a camera-equipped vehicle to Cleveland Police.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said the surveillance operation will be used to better target beat officers and community wardens.

The spokeswoman added: "The vehicle has been joint-funded through the Safer Stockton Partnership, which is backed by Stockton Borough Council.

Providing evidence

"The police have provided the vehicle and the Safer Stockton Partnership have funded the CCTV equipment, using a Home Office grant.

"The van will be used to tackle vehicle crime, anti-social behaviour and disorder.

"We intend the operation to influence peoples' behaviour by the vehicle's presence.

"It will provide intelligence to tackle anti-social behaviour as well as evidence for when enforcement is required."

The van is completely overt and intended to provided public reassurance through a highly visible police presence.

It will continually record via state of the art equipment whenever on patrol.

Marilyn Davies, community safety manager for Stockton Borough Council, added: "This vehicle will be used to complement other mobile CCTV systems that can be attached to street lighting columns.

"All of the equipment will be used in areas that are suffering high levels of crime and disorder and we will use the information that we gather to direct our use of police officers and community wardens."