CITY of York Council is struggling to cope with the increased demand from police for CCTV images.

Since CCTV went digital, the quality of images has vastly improved and the searchability of the system is easier.

Consequently, police requests for CCTV to be used as evidence in court has significantly increased, causing pressure on staff at York City Council.

The problems were outlined in a report reviewing the current and proposed CCTV arrangements.

In the report, a council spokesman states: "Police requests for copies of the recordings have multiplied due to the high quality and searchable functionality of the system.

"Initially the demand from the police occupied up to two hours a day of the technicians time and the consumption of large volumes of CDs.

"Before CCTV went digital, the police could undertake some retrieval of recordings directly however under present arrangements they are fully reliant on the council for this.

"A process has been put in place to reduce the time commitment to ourselves but it is still of concern as it amounts in a typical week to some 16 per cent of a full time employee."

According to the report the police have given approval for the provision of a "slave" recording arrangement - albeit seven months after first suggested by the council.

The cost of the slave recording arrangement would be in the region of £15,000.

Barry Smith, neighbourhood policing chief inspector, said: "I had not seen the report yet and am therefore unable to comment on it before liaising with my staff and the council.

"I was aware improvements have been put in place for CCTV across the city which we see as a major step forward because we use it as evidence to bring offenders to justice.

"The new digital system means it is now easier to copy images and finding particular frames is also easier.

"I am not aware of how much the demand from the police has gone up since the new digital images were used because we do not keep a log of it here."

Yesterday we reported that York's CCTV cameras went unmanned at night for nine months. The system is now to be upgraded.