A LIVE spy camera will soon record Cairns' drag-racing hoons and dangerous drivers as part of the city's battle against the offenders. 

The camera will film trouble hot-spots and stream live, high-definition images
24 hours a day to police and Cairns Regional Council.

The move follows a spate of hoon-related incidents across the region that have prompted police to appeal to residents to record or photograph hoons, when it is safe to do so, and give the images to police.

Cairns Traffic Branch Sen-Sgt Preben Farbaek welcomed news that the council had decided to trial the state-of-the-art, closed-circuit television camera as part of its arsenal of spies in the skies.

Sen-Sgt Farbaek said the camera would be used as an intelligence gathering tool that could be invaluable in profiling and identifying offenders.

"We can then use other strategies to intercept and lay charges," he said.

In some circumstances, the footage could be used as evidence in court.

"Anything that makes those members of the public who are committing offences aware that they have a greater chance of being identified and apprehended, and therefore desist from committing offences, has got to be a good thing for the community."

Unlike most of the council’s 70 odd cameras, soon to swell to about 85, the new CCTV unit provides live feeds, is fully self-contained, solar powered and portable.

"It provides for real-time recognition and response," said council inner city services manager Malcolm Robertson.

"It has much higher resolution and uses the latest wireless technology."

The new camera joins an older trailer-hauled model that has served the city for several years.

It was recently set up at Trinity Beach in a known hoon trouble spot to deter dangerous driving as well as unacceptable teenage social activity.

Before that, it was stationed on Collins Ave where it put a halt to a spate of plant thefts when the botanical gardens precinct was being landscaped.

Smithfield police officer-in-charge Sen-Sgt Tim Nolan welcomed news of the new camera's technological advances.

"We are looking at identifying number plates in regard to hooning and clarity is a big thing as the better the definition, the better it is for identifying offenders," he said.

Earlier this year, legislation was introduced to allow police to permanently confiscate cars from a person caught breaking anti-hooning laws three times. Just weeks ago, 34 cars confiscated in Ipswich in the state’s south were sold at auction.