More than £300,000 is set to be invested in upgrading Hertsmere's CCTV cameras.

A new agreement with Hertfordshire CCTV partnership means the control centre will be moved to an existing facility in Stevenage, and new cameras will be installed across the borough.

Half of the money come from the community safety budget, and the other half will be drawn from capital reserves, as agreed at Hertsmere Borough Council's executive council meeting last night.

Hilary Shade, head of corporate support, said: “The capital reserve is available for projects set to save or generate revenue on an annual basis.

“The benefit of entering a partnership with other authorities is an immediate reduction of cost in an initiative that will cost less to run.”

The old control room is based in Elstree studios and only has the technology to record onto analogue tapes, whereas the control room in Stevenage will have the advantage of being digital.

Ms Shade added: “This is a community reassurance tool, it won't be used for enforcement. We're not going to be checking up on people parking on double yellow lines.”

Hertfordshire CCTV partnership includes East and North Herts and Stevenage authorities.

There will also be the opportunity for residents to carry out an inspection of the new control room.