Two hooded youths brandishing guns were caught on sophisticated new mobile police CCTV cameras.

The teenagers, whose weapons turned out to be toys, were tracked by police using their newly-deployed CCTV van on its second day of operation in Hastings and St Leonards.

Sussex Police started the Smile You're On CCTV campaign in Brighton and Hove in July with smiling yellow face logos displayed on window stickers, posters, laminated cards and beer mats. The scheme has now been launched across Sussex.

The youths with guns were spotted by police staff in the van in residential Wishing Tree Road, Hollington, St Leonards.

Within minutes, the pair were being filmed by a remote-control camera mounted on the Ford Transit's roof.

A police community support officer inside radioed for backup and the teenagers were tracked by the camera, which took still photographs of them.

Police were at the scene in minutes and found the weapons were realistic-looking toys, similar to Browning semi-automatic pistols.

Experienced CCTV operator Eddie Reynolds said it was impossible to tell whether the guns were real or imitation.

He said: "Although the guns turned out to be replicas it could have been a frightening situation if someone was walking along the street and was approached by these two youths brandishing these guns.

"They were very realistic from a distance. This was an occasion when the photographic evidence was very useful. The CCTV will be invaluable for court cases."

The teenagers were taken to their parents along with the photographic evidence and they were warned about their conduct.

The bright yellow CCTV van has been touring Hastings and St Leonards during Christmas and was part of the force's New Year's Eve campaign.

Mr Reynolds said early public reaction to it had been positive, with many people saying they would like to see it monitoring streets more often.

He said: "I have been approached by numerous senior citizens saying they would dearly like to see it more often on their estates, which it will be used for.

"They felt more secure seeing us about, especially on the late shift."

Councillor Trevor Webb, Hastings Council's cabinet member for community safety, has been on a tour of Hollington in the van.

He said: "It will be an invaluable addition to Sussex Police's toolkit.

"Fighting crime and reducing the fear of crime are key objectives for us as well and this van should help in both of these areas.

"Not only will it deter criminals and make arresting them easier, it will reassure the residents of Hastings too."

The van combines a mobile police station with mobile CCTV, plus a command centre for major incidents.

The force believes it is the first time in England and Wales all three functions have been combined in one vehicle.

A five-strong fleet has been bought for £250,000, paid for by the rural policing initiative project, partnership funding and councils and one van is permanently based in each police division.

Senior Sussex Police officers hope the vans will cut antisocial behaviour and crime and disorder in neighbourhoods which lack fixed CCTV coverage.