A CCTV operator who spotted a youth setting fire to a man sleeping in a seafront shelter has received a special award.

Patrick Coleman, who has been working at the Dover CCTV control room for 10 years, was very highly commended by the CCTV Users Group, and received an engraved crystal plaque and a personal cheque for £100.

Mr Coleman was on duty manning the cameras one night in October when he saw a group of youths on Dover seafront.

Then he saw one of the youths set fire to the sleeping bag of a man who was sleeping in the shelter.

He alerted the police and followed the progress of the youths into the town centre, guiding officers to their location, leading to the arrest of one of them.

Earlier this year, a 17-year-old was sent to a young offenders’ institution for three years and four months after he admitted reckless arson.

The CCTV images showed the teenager putting a lighter flame close to the face of the sleeping man and then setting the sleeping bag alight while the victim was asleep.

The 45-year-old man woke to find the sleeping bag and his socks alight but managed to put out the flames and escaped without injury.

The CCTV Users Group, which has recently expanded into America, receives nominations on an annual basis and the advisory board recommends awards on a merit basis.

Cllr Julie Rook, the district council's cabinet member for citizenship, said: "This is very well deserved credit for the excellent work that Patrick and the whole CCTV team carry out.

"A lot of this work goes unsung, but when something like this happens it really reinforces the value of CCTV cameras in public places to help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour."

Patrick Coleman (right) receives his award from Peter Fry, direcrtor of the CCTV Users Group. Picture courtesy Dover District Council