MORE crime busting cameras will roll across Eastleigh as a new closed-circuit TV nerve centre swings into action.

The £60,000 purpose built control room has been designed to accommodate the extra cameras and staff needed to monitor the extended network planned for the town and other areas.

An additional ten cameras will be added to the existing 44 camera network later this year.

These will zoom in on the main pedestrian route between the town centre and the major new housing complex on the former Pirelli factory site.

The existing network covers the town centre, town car parks, bus station, and Leigh Road recreation ground.

Contributions from developers have made it possible for the council to forge ahead with the cameras-in-the-sky scheme which has played a major role in cracking down on crime.

Now consideration is also being given to the possible installation of a four-camera system for the centre of Hedge End. Town centre security has improved steadily since the first CCTV cameras were introduced in 1997.

Executive councillor Peter Wall, chairman of the Eastleigh Crime and Disorder Partnership, said: "The cameras and help points have had a big impact on community safety.

"Since their introduction there has been a 70 per cent drop in crime in the town centre and now the same level of security can be provided in the new development."

Insp Karen Scipio of Eastleigh police said: "We are very pleased with and fully support this development to the existing camera system.

"We believe it helps to reduce the fear of crime especially for residents living in the town centre as well as assisting the police in detecting crime."