Passenger safety has been boosted with the switch-on of closed circuit television cameras at Ilkley bus station.

The bus station is now monitored 24 hours a day by CCTV cameras.

The system has been installed by Metro as part of a £1.63 million plan to provide greater security in transport centres across the district.

News of the scheme was announced in January, but Metro officials have confirmed the cameras have now been installed, as well as a help point linked to the Metro headquarters in Leeds.

A Metro spokesman said: "The cameras at Ilkley bus station are now on line and operating 24 hours a day.

"I have spoken to the security officers and it is a case of so far so good. Ilkley seems to be behaving itself."

She said the installation of such a system was already reaping rewards in other areas, with information being passed quickly to police officers about particular incidents caught on camera.

A special hotline will allow those monitoring the footage to contact the relevant police station.

Sergeant Alan Gee of Keighley Police has welcomed the 'switch-on' in Ilkley.

"The introduction of CCTV cameras helps in both the prevention and detection of crime. Hopefully people will think twice before committing a crime if they know they are being watched. Secondly, if they do commit a crime, we can use the footage as evidence," he said.

Sgt Gee said the cameras also had the effect of providing the public with a greater feeling of security.

"People have talked about infringing privacy but from my experience I have found the majority of members of the public are in favour of CCTV in public areas," he said.

The scheme has been welcomed by parish and district councillors, but calls still remain for other areas of Ilkley to be covered.

The Metro spokesman said: "I would like to stress the help point is not a system for asking the time of the next bus."

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