The police officer who helped bring CCTV to Gorleston High Street is hoping to extend the scheme to the town's seafront.PC Jason Howell was the driving force behind the introduction of the surveillance cameras to the busy shopping hub along with fellow police constable Pat Bailey.

The police officer who helped bring CCTV to Gorleston High Street is hoping to extend the scheme to the town's seafront.

PC Jason Howell was the driving force behind the introduction of the surveillance cameras to the busy shopping hub along with fellow police constable Pat Bailey.

Now PC Howell is aiming to win the support of local businesses to extend the long lens of the law to the clifftop after the successful introduction of CCTV to the town centre in November.

“The system is running really well. There were one or two teething problems as a result of technical difficulties, but they have been quickly sorted out,” he said.

“One big thing I would like to see is a camera on the seafront which would cost around £6,000.

“I am hoping retailers, businesses and nightspots in the area would be interested in contributing towards it - or perhaps there is someone with a pot of gold who would like to help the police in their work.

“As well as cutting crime, a CCTV camera would be helpful in finding all the kids who go missing every summer on the beach.”

The High Street cameras have yet to help secure any criminal convictions, but recorded two assaults and resulted in several incidents of anti-social behaviour and under-age smoking and drinking being dealt with.

Shops and businesses have so far contributed around £2,500 towards the running costs of the GY Enterprises- funded scheme.

Volunteers are also needed to help members of the Gorleston Safer Neighbourhood Team man the CCTV control centre.

“Letters have been sent to local businesses to get extra funding - so far about 60pc have made a contribution and we are trying to work on the remaining 40pc,” said PC Howell.

“There is a town link radio system, but at the moment it is run by an outside company, and it would be good if we could take it over so the profits could go back into the CCTV system.

“The announcement that Wilkinson is moving into the precinct is very good news - at the moment, the cameras only record the frontage and perhaps it may be possible to extend the coverage to the courtyard.”

Anyone interested in working as a volunteer at the CCTV control centre should call PC Howell at Gorleston police station on 0845 456 4567.