THE roll-out of new CCTV cameras is to be extended to Wollescote, Wollaston, Colley Gate, Netherton, Upper Gornal, and Halesowen.

At least eight new cameras are proposed for seven sites as part of Dudley Council's upgrade of the CCTV network across the borough.

As part of a £1.7million project all CCTV cameras across Dudley have been replaced with state-of-the-art new technology capable of capturing detailed images in town centres and strategic locations to help in the fight against crime.

A new control room has also been set up to monitor and respond to incidents as part of the network overhaul - and 27 traffic cameras are also being replaced.

And now a further eight cameras are proposed for Wynall Lane and The Queensway in Wollescote, Netherton High Street, land near Toys Lane in Colley Gate, Wollaston traffic island at Meriden Avenue, Kent Street in Upper Gornal and at Shell Corner in Halesowen as part of a £240,000 programme.

Councillor Laura Taylor, Dudley Council's cabinet member for housing and community services, said: "The new cameras are already helping people to feel safer in town centres and across the borough and in the longer term will have a massive effect on the response to issues from our own officers as well as police.

"I am delighted we are trying to seize every opportunity to extend this scheme by adding more cameras where we can, all linked to that central control room."

A report is due to go before the council’s cabinet next week outlining the proposed spend.