MORE than 100 CCTV cameras watch the movements of every person in Worcester.

In fact, new research reveals that British citizens are living in a "Big Brother" society, with at least 4,285,000 cameras recording our every movement, making this country the most watched nation in the world.

The city council operates 104 CCTV cameras, with the majority located in the city centre.

The police also operate their own cameras.

Civil liberties groups argue that all CCTV cameras do is shift crime to other areas and that money should be spent on the police rather than installing cameras.

However, Andy Walford, the city council's principal engineer, said the cameras, which were discussed at an international conference on CCTV at Sheffield University on Saturday, are there primarily to combat crime and disorder and did not infringe people's rights to privacy.

"They are used for a variety of things," said Mr Walford.

"They can be used for monitoring traffic flow, looking for lost children and monitoring the floods.

"They have even been used to call out the emergency services.

"The tapes are kept for a month and then recorded over and they are only used for evidential purposes by the police."

He added that there was no danger of operators abusing the system by looking into people's bathrooms.

And shoppers in Worcester yesterday appeared to feel reassured by the number of CCTV cameras capturing their movements.

UCW student Emily Shaw said she did not have a problem with the cameras.

"They are just watching out for anything that goes on that should not go on," said the 22-year-old, from St Wulstans Crescent, off Wyld's Lane.

"If you aren't doing anything wrong then you should not be worried about it."

John Wilson, of Hylton Road, St John's, agreed.

"I think it is pretty good," said the 58-year-old.

"I don't suppose the police have enough people to go around the streets."

However, Jane Brueton believes that too many cameras are an infringement on her civil liberties.

"It is like Big Brother," said the 30-year-old UCW student. "I don't think they have caused any decrease in crime.

"If the police and the council want to spend the money, they should go to the causes of crime like lack of jobs.

"People argue that if you're not doing anything wrong then you shouldn't worry - but would they let someone film them in their homes?"

James Munn said he was surprised at the number of CCTV cameras in the city centre.

"If the cameras are along an alley then that's fine, but I don't like the idea of there being so many in the city centre," said the 26-year-old from Penhill Crescent, St John's.

"In certain respects I do feel safer - but all this monitoring can also feel uncomfortable."