TOWN centre residents are concerned their privacy will be invaded following the installation of CCTV cameras in December, it has been revealed.

Councillor Jack Cookson said he had spoken to residents in Archer Road and Grove Street and some were worried about infringements on their homes.

The news follows an all-day exhibition at the town hall on the planned location of 16 hi-tech cameras in the town centre, which will be monitored 24-hours-a-day.

Mr Cookson said: "There have been concerns over invasion of privacy and it's mostly the younger generation. The older generation think it's a great thing and a security measure against crime.

"But most people I have spoken to have welcomed the CCTV cameras."

Councillors will decide tonight where the control room for the £310,000 system, which will cost up to £100,000 a year to run, will be sited.

Redditch Council community safety officer Tariq Khan said the Data Protection Act and the Human Rights Act would ensure the public's privacy.

He said: "The partnership also has its own code of conduct which will safeguard people's privacy and make sure it is protected."

The town centre CCTV system is the first in Redditch and the community safety partnership is hoping to extend it to shopping centres across the borough.

Mr Khan said: "We are in consultation with residents and collecting crime statistics from the police.

"We want to look at other initiatives which could be run alongside the CCTV, such as landscaping. It is no good having a CCTV system if people can hide behind bushes.

"We will be looking at running activities for young people if there is nothing for them do to."