A £1.7million scheme to upgrade CCTV cameras across the borough is almost complete.

A string of new cameras have been installed in Dudley and Brierley Hill town centres, where outdated cameras have been replaced by state-of-the-art cameras with boosted capabilities and enhanced images.

Work is continuing in Stourbridge and Halesowen, which started earlier this month, with further work planned for Gornal and Sedgley.

A new control room is also in the pipeline to oversee the network.

Councillor Laura Taylor, cabinet member responsible for community safety, said: "These new CCTV cameras will hopefully have a big, positive impact on not only making people feel safe in our town centres, but also providing more detailed footage of any issues that arise.

"As part of our commitment to the Dudley Deal we are investing in making the borough safer. People can help too by reporting issues to us.”

Sally Bourner, Chief Superintendent, Dudley Neighbourhood Policing Unit Commander, added: "We are continuing to work closely with Dudley Council as the CCTV system rolls out. CCTV is one of the many ways we can work together to tackle crime and improve safety. People can also play their part by playing an active and neighbourly role in their communities through schemes such as Street Watch.”

Mobile cameras will also be launched which can be used to target crime hotspots using intelligence reports drawn up in partnership with West Midlands Police.

The roll out of the cameras and the control room work is expected to be completed by Spring.