RESIDENTS have got three new CCTV cameras to help them fight crime on their estates after raising over £1,000 for the equipment.

The mobile cameras will be used to clampdown on crime and anti-social behaviour in Roe Lee and Brownhill and will be used alongside an existing police CCTV camera.

Members of the Roe Lee Residents Association raised over £300 themselves and received additional funding through a £750 grant from Twin Valley Homes.

The overt cameras can be easily installed by the neighbourhood policing team and will be moved around houses and businesses in trouble hot spots.

Chair of the residents association Irene Heaney said: "We have had problems with anti-social behaviour - graffiti, people breaking things and causing a nuisance and tormenting residents.

"On the whole we are not as bad as other areas but we do have these problems from time to time. The people who do it tend to go on a wrecking spree.

"It hasn't been so bad this winter because of the cold but we are dreading the summer."

Mrs Heaney added: "The cameras will give us a real boost in dealing with these problems.

"One was not enough to cover what was going on, so now we have four in total we will be much better equipped and the residents will feel safer."

PC Steve Maggs said, of the north east neighbourhood policing team, said: “These cameras can be quickly installed and moved around problem areas and I hope they will assist us to improve community safety and reassure residents.”

Roe Lee Residents Association is made up of local residents, the Neighbourhood Policing Team, Twin Valley Homes, local councillors, Roe Lee school and local businesses.

The association meets bi-monthly to discuss community issues.

To speak to officers about problem locations contact 01254 691551.