Seven new CCTV cameras have gone live at Castle Gate entertainment complex in Dudley as part of a £1.7 million upgrade of the borough’s network.

The cameras have been installed at key sites around the cinema, bars and restaurants. The new cameras are part of a major upgrade of the old, outdated system in town centres and key sites across the borough.

More than one kilometre of fibre optic cable has been used at Castle Gate and the cameras will be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They were installed during the national lockdown to minimise impact on businesses. Councillor Laura Taylor, cabinet member responsible for community safety, said:

"The cameras in town centres are already live and a welcome safety boost for everyone. I’m pleased we now have the cameras live at Castle Gate, the first to be completed in phase two, and look forward to other areas benefiting from this significant investment.

"Castle Gate Business Park is a busy leisure and retail destination managed by Black Country based Bulleys Chartered Surveyors. The firm says the upgraded security will appeal to customers and the wider community."

Jason Morris, Management Surveyor with Bulleys Chartered Surveyors which manages the site, added:

"Although only a few of the businesses are open at the moment because of the national restrictions I’m sure this news will be welcomed by everyone visiting or working at Castle Gate. We’re delighted to be working with Dudley Council on such an important project.

"Over the past few months the old, outdated system has been replaced with new state-of-the-art cameras capable of more detailed images and evidence gathering."

Town centres in Halesowen, Dudley, Stourbridge and Brierley Hill are now complete. Other key areas have also been added to the programme of work including Sedgley town centre, Lye High Street and Coronation Gardens, in Dudley. The new cameras give much clearer images of sites which can help in catching and prosecuting offenders.

A new high-tech, highly secure control room is being built as part of the plans and discussions are underway to add traffic cameras to the programme of work.