Court Street businesses could be in for a long wait for crime cameras while efforts to revive defunct communications company Quantum flounder.

The Corporation of Hamilton is keen to extend the close circuit television camera system (CCTV) which has helped tackle crime but it can only go to the limit of the fibre optic network built by Quantum.

Last January, North Hamilton businesses expressed an interest in getting CCTV but the network cannot be extended to reach them until the ownership of Quantum is decided.

Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb said: "We are still waiting for Cable & Wireless and Belco to decide what they want to do with it.

"Nothing has been finalised. It's been three years. We think it's time something happened but so far nothing has happened."

Asked if a deal was on the table Ms Webb said: "There's always been something on the table.

"There are a number of issues in terms of ownership. Hopefully something should be finalised within the next 30 days."

Corporation secretary Roger Sherratt said the cameras were a big success but moves to expand into Court Street and along Pitt's Bay Road to the Hamilton Princess hinged on the Quantum situation.

"We would be very keen to extend the system but it isn't practical to expand until the Quantum issue has been settled.

"We can't afford to put in a completely new system because it would be very expensive. It would need another line to Police Headquarters."

Mr. Sherratt said CCTV had played a pivotal role in identifying the culprit in the recent murder case where vagrant George Kelly was stabbed at the taxi rank in Church Street.

He said: "It helped identify a suspect who turned out to be the culprit. It put him at the scene, it showed he had an argument with the deceased and it helped apprehend him and convict him of murder."

He said the cameras have helped nab people red-handed, including a pickpocket who stole money from an unconscious drunk's wallet before replacing the empty wallet in his pocket.

The City's 30-odd cameras have helped convict people who plead not guilty said Mr. Sherratt.

But he also believes it has cut down on court time by convincing guilty people not to try their luck because camera evidence would destroy their not guilty plea.