Dubbo is spruiking the “resounding success” of its technological assault on crime in the central business district (CBD) as it gets ready to spend another $100,000 on closed circuit television cameras (CCTV).

Continuing debate in local government circles on the effectiveness of CCTV in reducing crime has not shifted Dubbo City Council’s stance on the initiative aimed at making Dubbo’s main streets safer for residents and tourists alike.

The figures speak for themselves, according to Dubbo’s community services director David Dwyer who is quoted in a recent edition of Local Agenda, the official magazine of the Local Government Association and Shires Association in NSW.

In the article he says the introduction of CCTV in the CBD has had a “dramatic” effect on anti-social behaviour and crime.

From his office at the civic administration building in Church Street, the director stood firm.

“It has been a resounding success,” said Mr Dwyer despite some expected “ups and downs”.

A minute later he reveals break and enters in the CBD fell from 88 to 24 between 2001 and 2006.

In the same period stealing statistics dropped from 294 to 100 and street offences ranging from upturned plants to broken car aerials have plummeted from 141 to 17.

Dubbo City Council saw fit to fund and install the security cameras in the CBD in 2002 with their positioning directed by local police.

“This was to take the political process out of it,” Mr Dwyer said in Local Agenda.

“We didn’t want a situation where only the most vocal benefited.”

Police will likely be influential in the placement of new and extra cameras in the future.

“They had chosen 10 to 12 crime hotspots previously,” Mr Dwyer said.

“That may have changed.”

The redevelopment of the once-troubled Gordon Estate might have changed the police’s point of view, the director said.

Critics of CCTV argue it can drive crime inside businesses and to residential areas.

Supporters point out that it is not a panacea for all crime, but has specific targets that are being met.

Sydney City has just announced a $3.5 million injection of funds into its CBD cameras that in the past 12 months have assisted police prosecute more than 700 offences.

The latest Dubbo CBD crime figures will be presented to the council at its finance and policy meeting this month.

In March councillors will consider a report prepared by Mr Dwyer on a planned upgrade and possible expansion of the Dubbo network.