Proposed locations for the installation of 13 new CCTV cameras around Edinburgh will be presented to the Council Executive on 9 January. The Council has experienced great success from the use of CCTV in the city and the installation of a new CCTV monitoring facility at City Chambers. Along with this the mobile CCTV unit performs a number of key functions, accessing areas where existing cameras may not. The City of Edinburgh Council also recently received funding from the Scottish Executive to kit out six Lothian and Borders Youth Action Team vehicles with CCTV, this has happened as a direct result of the success experienced by the use of CCTV in the City.

13 new cameras are proposed to be installed in a number of areas around the city as part of the Council's ongoing drive to combat crime, tackle antisocial behaviour and make the city a safe and pleasant place for its residents and visitors.

The proposals, to be considered by the Council's Executive next week, are intended to build on the success of the extensive network of public space CCTV cameras already monitored by the City of Edinburgh Council.

The new Central Monitoring Facility (CMF) encompasses sixty-six monitors which are viewed on a shift rotation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Centre is designed for operators to provide a proactive approach to monitoring the city.

The Council is now building on the previous successes of 2005/06 when the CCTV Central Monitoring Facility (CMF) recorded more than 12,000 incidents captured on CCTV cameras citywide. Of these, 1,215 resulted in arrests and 1,696 in warnings by Lothian and Borders Police.

In addition, a total of 1,488 public safety incidents were picked up by the cameras, and 26 missing persons were traced through CCTV footage.

Currently one hundred and ten public space cameras are monitored by the Council through the CCTV CMF, while its Multi-storey Concierge Service monitors a further 50 public space cameras.

The use of CCTV footage is regarded as a valuable tool in the fight against crime and antisocial behaviour. It is part of a range of community safety initiatives, such as community police officers, anti-graffiti squads and the Community Safety Night-time Team.

Councillor Sheila Gilmore, Executive Member for Community Safety and Housing, said: "This is good news for residents of Edinburgh as we know people want to see more cameras and in turn they will feel safer. The use of CCTV is invaluable for the different uses it has from public safety issues to criminal matters and transport monitoring.

Cameras help a lot to identify those responsible for crime and anti-social behaviour. Cameras assist the work of people on the ground, not just the police but our warden services as well. These additional cameras will assure residents we are doing everything to ensure their safety."

Superintendent Ronnie Liddle said, "CCTV is now a routine part of modern policing and is used extensively in the City to monitor day-to-day incidents or large-scale events. Tapes and images are regularly gathered and provide substantial evidence to demonstrate what has taken place and to identify offenders and potential witnesses.

"On an operational level, the CCTV monitoring of incidents enables officers to be deployed more effectively. It provides a clearer picture of what is actually happening and allows officers to intervene quickly and in the most appropriate and safest manner.

"Access to mobile CCTV and the excellent partnership that exists between police and City of Edinburgh Council CCTV Monitoring Unit is a key factor in addressing crime and antisocial behaviour across the Capital."