STATE-of-the-art CCTV equipment could revolutionise the way crime is fought in Redditch town centre.

Redditch looks set to become one of the first areas in the country to introduce a new scheme which will make CCTV more interactive, reducing crime and the fear of crime.

If Redditch Council gives the scheme the go-ahead, speaker systems will be secured to six cameras in the town centre.

Not only will it allow CCTV control room operators to speak to people on the street, but it will allow members of the public to communicate directly with the operators.

The idea to introduce it to the town came from deputy leader of the council and portfolio holder for community safety, Bill Hartnett.

Mr Hartnett said: "This new equipment will serve so many useful purposes.

"If the operators can speak through the system they can tell people to pick up litter they've just dropped, they can tell crowds to disperse if they're gathered around a fight, and can even stop a fight starting by warning the people squaring up to each other to calm down.

"The public will also be assured because they can speak through this new system. If a parent loses a child they can give the operators a description so they can be found sooner.

"And if a member of the public sees a possible crime taking place, they can speak to the operator immediately and tell them exactly where the camera should be facing.

"This is a fantastic scheme and I'm very excited about the prospect of it being introduced to our town centre. This should really help dispel people's fear of crime."

Mr Hartnett said if people did try to misuse the equipment their faces would be captured on the CCTV and they would be dealt with.

The cost of the scheme is £20,000 and half that cost has already been pledged by Redditch Community Safety Partnership.

At a future full council meeting, councillors will decide whether to agree to pay for the other half.