DUNMOW town centre has moved a step closer to getting upgraded CCTV after a panel of representatives sat down to select potential systems.

Uttlesford District Council (UDC) invited the panel to view the tenders offered by the shortlisted companies and to grade each on merit at a meeting last week.

UDC will finance the installation of the system before handing it over to the town council after six months. The town council will then be able to negotiate its own maintenance deal after the three-year guarantee has expired.

The ‘hub’ will be in Foakes Hall where a trained operator will have access to the equipment at all times.

Dunmow town clerk Caroline Fuller, who is sitting on the panel, said: “The screens do not need someone constantly overlooking them but someone will have access to it at all times in case the police need images from the cameras.

“The person who overlooks the cameras will have knowledge of the law and what can be done with the images should the police need them.”

The new cameras will be located in the same positions as the current ones with an additional two cameras added around the town. The new system will also have the capacity to add more cameras should they be needed.

The new CCTV system is expected to be up and running by the end of the current financial year.