The council’s expenditure on the initiative this year is estimated to be just over £32,000, a £2000 a year increase.

The figures have been given to Dundee-based MSP Marlyn Glen by city council administration leader Councillor Jill Shimi.

Ms Glen had asked Ms Shimi how the funding provided by the Scottish Executive, the council and others was being spent.

Ms Shimi said the major items of cost for the current year are — CCM (closed circuit monitoring) co-ordination time, £4000; city centre ambassadors plus additional clerical, £7305; office accommodation, £15,913

Other contributions come from Scottish Enterprise Tayside — £1000 for marketing, Tayside Police — £10,000 in kind, and local business fund, Radio Link package, providing £2000.

This sum is matched by around £42,000 of funding from the Scottish Executive.

About £32,000 of this employs a scheme manager, while the rest is spent on training, support and contingencies.

Ms Glen said, “In the past three years, over £260,000 has been spent to reduce the incidence of crime in Dundee city centre and to make those who live, work and shop there feel safer.

“A safer city centre means more trade for businesses and more people on the streets. The more people there are on the streets of the city centre, the safer it is.

“ A safer city centre also means a better environment for shop staff and customers alike, and a place where people can meet together, and not be worried by the fear of crime.”