The work of the community safety team was recognised at the UK Housing Awards with the housing CCTV service being awarded the title ‘Professional services partner of the year’.

The service saw off competition from other housing providers and private sector firms from across Britain to take the top prize.

Tonia McBurnie, housing solutions manager, said: “Our CCTV monitoring is all about making sure our communities and housing areas are as safe and secure as possible. It is very encouraging to see the positive impact this has had on helping to reduce crime levels, curb anti-social behaviour and provide support for vulnerable people. The system has also been invaluable in helping us to trace lost individuals and those suffering from medical conditions who needed urgent support.

“We work closely with a number of partner agencies, including the emergency services, and we all share the same determination to look after and support those in our communities who need help.”

The CCTV team provides monitoring of multi-storey towers and low-rise properties with mobile CCTV units also used to prevent and detect those involved in anti-social behaviour.

The introduction of CCTV in areas with historically high levels of ‘difficult to let’ properties has led to a marked increase in people sustaining their tenancies with 92% of homes remaining occupied and reducing homelessness.

A residents’ survey reported 84% of respondents saying they believed crime and anti-social behaviour would rise without the use of the CCTV service and the cameras increased levels of community confidence.

Councillor Heather Brannan-McVey, convener of housing and regeneration, added: “This is an outstanding achievement from our housing team at a UK-wide level. Our priority is to make North Lanarkshire a better place for people to live and the hard work of our officers in helping to keep our communities safe is greatly appreciated.”