Almost everyone who responded to a recent council survey believes CCTV has improved public safety in and around Shenley Road.

The cameras, installed just over a year ago, have met with the approval of 92 per cent of the 1,100 who answered questions on community safety.

Responses to December's Safer Communities Survey show 38 per cent believe CCTV is an excellent use of public money and 52 per cent think it's a good use.

A staggering 35 per cent of residents said they had no idea the cameras had been trained on them as they shopped for over a year.

But those people said they felt safer -- now they knew CCTV was in operation.

Hertsmere Borough Council and Ridgehill Housing Association proved that CCTV was needed in the town, beating bids for Government cash from authorities nationwide.

Now the council, in partnership with the police and other agencies, has until April to produce a document under the new Crime and Disorder Act.

The paper will detail how improvements to community safety will be made.

And the Audit Commission, which monitors the performance of local authorities, will ensure Hertsmere reaches its targets.

A spokesman said: "Hertsmere is the only borough in Hertfordshire which has carried out such extensive consultation with the local community.

"This also included focus groups in local schools with 16 and 17-year-olds and personal interviews with people in social housing."

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