Bradford's network of CCTV cameras has captured hundreds of criminals in the act including robbers, drug dealers and even gunmen.

Newly-released figures show that the system recorded more than 250 incidents over ten months last year.

As a direct result of the footage - taken across Bradford, Keighley, Bingley and Shipley - police were able to arrest 359 suspects over the same period. Video operators told how the system acted as an effective deterrent with would-be offenders knowing they were under the cameras' constant gaze.

Phil Holmes, CCTV manager for the district, said: "These figures show how successful CCTV is in Bradford but we also know the cameras deter crime.

"We know people think twice before committing an offence. We see them look up at the camera and they realise they can't get away with it."

The statistics showed that assaults topped the list of 'video nasties' with violence often spilling onto the city streets as pubs and clubs closed their doors. Over the ten-month period, the system captured five separate firearms incidents live on film, leading police to arrest ten suspects.

Mr Holmes said his team were constantly working to improve coverage as new technology became available.

Bradford District Community Safety Co-ordinator, Chief Inspector David Young, said CCTV was having a massive impact on crime reduction and community safety in the city.

"CCTV has certainly helped the police in many major policing operations and incidents," he said. "Sometimes we get CCTV footage as incidents occur, allowing us to deploy officers more effectively. It is not only a valuable tool in terms of crime prevention but also for gathering evidence to secure a conviction."

Police have already linked up their revolutionary Automatic Number Plate Recognition system to the network to effectively form a 'ring of steel' around the city. By reading the registration of every vehicle passing the cameras, the device immediately alerts officers to stolen cars or those wanted in connection with crime.

A recent developments is the introduction of 12 'rapid-response' cameras, which can be moved around the district to monitor crime hot spots.

Gillian Mayfield, Bradford Council's senior policy officer for community safety, said: "This is a positive step towards enhancing CCTV coverage."