POLICE chiefs in the New Forest are celebrating the success of a £1m project to cut crime across the district.

Closed circuit television cameras have helped police on no less than 96 occasions since they were installed three months ago.

Some of the scheme's biggest successes have occurred in Totton.

Police say problems caused by teenagers gathering in the Commercial Road precinct have been "virtually eradicated" since the cameras were installed.

A total of 39 cameras have been installed in Totton, Lymington and Ringwood.

In a report to the district council's crime and disorder review panel, Police Inspector Geoff King said the scheme had proved its worth time and again.

The report said a man was arrested and remanded in custody after the cameras captured a woman being harassed in Ringwood town centre.

It added that footage of a violent disturbance in Meeting House Lane, Ringwood, was playing a key role in the investigation into the incident.

CCTV equipment had also helped officers to police this year's Ringwood Carnival.

The report added: "A large group of youths on Lymington Quay were recorded causing a disturbance.

"Videotape images of their anti-social behaviour were played back to the youths in the presence of their parents.

"On another occasion a youth was arrested on suspicion of stealing a dinghy at the Town Quay.

"That same weekend a second dinghy was stolen from the Quay and a number of parked cars in the High Street were damaged. In both cases CCTV controllers directed police to the suspects and arrests were made."

Members of the review panel praised the system after making a 20-minute visit to the CCTV control centre at Lyndhurst.

CCTV manager John Bull said senior police officers visited the building once a week and advised the camera operators to concentrate on certain areas.

Totton councillor Di Brooks told Mr Bull: "You ought to be congratulated - it's brilliant."