CLOSED circuit television cameras are to be installed at four housing estates on the southern fringe of St Helens town centre.

A Home Office grant of £90,000 will help the borough council install cameras to monitor the Sherdley Road, Grove Street, St Thomas' Square and Peasley View areas.

The council will now be able to evaluate the effectiveness of the CCTV system in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in residential areas.

Implementation of the scheme, including deciding where the cameras will be sited, will be left to a management group representing local housing associations, residents, police and the council. The project will be completed by next spring.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.