THE CASUALTY department at York District Hospital is to be covered by a live CCTV police link under a shake up of the city's eye-in-the sky system.

The police and hospital link-up is thought to be the first in the country, and will see cameras in casualty and the hospital's car park wired to the police station.

It forms a key feature of York's new CCTV set-up, which is based around a partnership deal between police and council chiefs.

A spokeswoman for York District Hospital said: "We are very pleased to be involved in this new initiative, which we hope will improve the security on site and so the safety of the hospital's staff, patients and visitors."

Under the partnership, responsibility for monitoring all the city's cameras has been switched to council staff.

Each camera will be linked to a new CCTV monitoring centre at Fulford Road police station, converted from the police control room.

Council staff will monitor screens for 12 hours a day, seven days a week, with permanent coverage a possibility within the year.

The cameras will be set to record at all times they are not being watched.

"We plan to move to 24-hour seven-days-a-week coverage some time within the early financial year," said City of York Council head of highway regulation Peter Evely.

"The extension of the CCTV system is almost complete, it is being finished off now and the majority of cameras are live.

"As soon as the work is done the new cameras will come on line and will be incorporated into the system."

The hospital spokeswoman said: "We are delighted to be working with the council on this project. The cameras are now fully operational and are providing excellent coverage of key areas of the hospital site."

As well as the new cameras at YDH, Peel Street, Piccadilly and Haymarket have been included in the new system.

Coverage at Monk Bar has also been extended.

North Yorkshire Chief Constable David Kenworthy said: "This will further help to reduce crime and disorder in York, and is a prime example of the partnership approach with City of York Council and North Yorkshire Police continuing to work together for the community they serve."

Sheila Robinson, UNISON head of health for Yorkshire, said: "We have been aware of problems in hospitals and any measures taken to improve safety are very welcome."

Updated: 10:54 Wednesday, March 06, 2002