SITTING under a huge bank of 31 continually changing screens, a computer operator zooms in on a licence plate so closely that the numbers fill the screen as the driver travels the streets of Redbridge.

And a second later with a few clicks of the mouse, the car is no more than a speck in the centre of the screen as the operator pans back to take in a panorama of streets and cars and pedestrians.

Big Brother is not just watching us and the criminals Big Brother is able to read our morning newspaper along with us from an electronic screen in a newly refurbished, windowless room in Ley Street, Ilford.

But good citizens have nothing to fear from the 234 CCTV cameras that film, and monitor what's going on in Redbridge. Only criminals need to be afraid, according to the leader of Redbridge Council.

Leader councillor Alan Weinberg gave a speech before Redbridge Mayor Cllr Ashok Kumar opened the council's new CCTV control centre.

Speaking at the opening, cllr Weinberg said: "In 2005, there were 600 arrests made in Redbridge because the incidents were picked up on CCTV.

"CCTV is for the benefit of everybody. Law-abiding people like CCTV. The other people, who aren't law abiding, I don't really care what they like."

The move from Lynton House in Ilford, which was becoming too much of squeeze, means the council will have space to expand its bank of screens even further as CCTV coverage widens or more operators are needed.

Speaking before the official opening, cllr Weinberg identified other places that CCTV cameras could be positioned, extending coverage from shopping centres and car parks.

He said: "I can see CCTV going up outside libraries and schools."

The new CCTV room, which links operators to police and the emergency services, as well as to shops covered by high street cameras, has room for 11 operators to work the screens during festivals and times of unrest.

However it is usually manned by two people picking out violent offences, tracking shoplifters and looking out for trouble.

With every close-up and digital camera sweep saved for 30 days just in case you think Big Brother might watching you indiscrimnately, another Big Brother can watch over our Big Brother scrutinising every click and mouse movement Redbrid-ge's CCTV operators make.