BETTER, faster CCTV technology has been installed in Redditch in an attempt to make residents feel safe.

Thanks to a major service upgrade analogue CCTV equipment has been upgraded to digital, in the war against crime.

It means better quality CCTV in and around Redditch, and even allows for deployable cameras that can be moved to trouble areas.

The heart of that operation, the 24-hour CCTV Monitoring Centre at Redditch Town Hall, has been renovated with all-new equipment.

It provides the service across Bromsgrove and Kidderminster, as well as in Redditch Borough, and the digital upgrade means its CCTV images can be shared more easily and in real time with police dispatchers.

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Councillor Matt Dormer, leader of Redditch Borough Council, called it an "important service" for residents.

"It not only improves the quality of CCTV both for us and our partners in the area, but also allows us to run the service more efficiently than ever,” he said.

The £339,000 for the work was provided to the North Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership by the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia John Campion.

Mr Campion said: “The funding I have provided to this partnership for the installation of digital CCTV will enhance policing in the local area and help communities to not only be safe, but feel safe.”