including shoplifting, further reducing the already impressively low crime rate in the town. reduction in retail crime, including shoplifting, further reducing the already impressively low crime rate in the town.

"The Consett CCTV scheme has achieved tangible results thanks to the many thousands of pounds invested in a state of the art network, so it's great to see its success being recognised," says Morris Muter, managing director of Project Genesis. "The system has performed beyond all expectations and it's also important to recognise the great job done by the monitoring team, who watch over the cameras 365 days a year."

Having won the 'Best Use of Technology' category at the finals of the G4S Security Services (UK) awards, the Consett scheme have now been put forward for nomination in the regional heats of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA)'s Security Officer of the Year Awards. This will see it compared to some of the most successful systems across the UK, with the potential to bring national recognition to Consett.

"We operate CCTV networks across the North East and Consett has been one of the most successful thanks to the great system and a committed team of operatives," says David Lovick, contract manager for G4S Security Services (UK). "There was a great deal of competition for the company's internal awards and it's great that the Genesis team has now been nominated for the industry awards."

It's not only crime that the Consett team help to combat, they also keep watch over the honest folk of the town going about their business and call for help if they spot anyone in trouble. Recent cases have included helping to locate an old lady who had wandered away from home and calling the emergency services after a car accident in High Street.

The system has been praised by Inspect Andrew McConnell of Durham Constabulary. He says: "From the police perspective the cameras are a wonderful bonus in gathering evidence and we are grateful for the funding that Derwentside Council and Project Genesis have provided to install and maintain the system. Furthermore, we have an excellent working relationship with the operating team from G4S who really focus in on the issues."