New CCTV has been installed to an area of Watford blighted by anti-social behaviour.

Cameras have been installed in the Holywell estate, in front of the shops and Post Office, and behind the doctor’s surgery.

The move was taken after business owners and residents complained about anti-social behaviour around the shops.

Before the new cameras, Akil Bandali, postmaster of the Holywell Post Office said the police were often called out to the shops to deal with “kids from the local schools messing about”.

Mr Bandali added: “The CCTV is fantastic, the best thing to happen to the Holywell estate.

“It will help people feel safe and improve the quality of life, especially for the businesses here which take the brunt of the anti-social behaviour.”

More than 1,500 homes and shops on the estate have been visited by the police, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue, Watford Borough Council, and the NHS, to find out what residents wanted.

PC Kev Ball, neighbourhood officer for Holywell, said: “We are delighted that this CCTV has now been installed.

“We are already noticing the significant impact it is having on reducing Anti-Social Behaviour and the positive feedback we have received from the community.”

Nigel Bell, borough and county councillor for Holywell, said he had been campaigning to get anti-social behaviour measures introduced in the area, and arranged a grant to help pay for the CCTV.

He added: “I was pleased to be able to award £437 from my county council locality budget as the final financial piece of funding to set this CCTV in operation.

“Hopefully, it will mean the shopkeepers at the shops and residents from the flats above along with shoppers can feel safer and more secure in and around the shops and garage area.”

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