Shadow Home Secretary Oliver Letwin came to a secret location in Hendon last week to open Barnet Council's high-tech CCTV centre.

The £1million centre, part-funded by central Government, has 31 screens monitoring activities 24 hours a day in high crime areas such as Grahame Park, Childs Hill, Edgware, Golders Green and North Finchley.

The cameras can zoom in from as far away as 120 metres and turn 360 degrees using touch-sensitive screens or joysticks.

Speaking at the opening ceremony before unveiling a plaque outside the control room, Mr Letwin said: "This is bad news for potential criminals in the area, and good news, therefore, for the law-abiding citizens.

"Indeed the police officers who, I am sure will tell you if given half the chance, are over-stretched, need every aid they can get in apprehending the villains.

"I think people generally are coming to understand that CCTV can make a real difference and that depends on co-operation between the police and the council. I congratulate you on this initiative."

Mayor for Barnet, Councillor Joan Scannell, who attended the event, said: "People in Barnet have a right to live free of crime and of the fear of crime. CCTV cameras are an important tool, not only for tracking down offenders, but also in deterring would-be criminals."

Nine surveillance cameras have recently been installed along the A5 Edgware Road in Burnt Oak, West Hendon and Cricklewood.

Part-funded by Transport for London, the cameras will be able to monitor bus lane enforcement during the day.