More than £1m is being invested in 14 new CCTV cameras in a bid to reduce robberies and muggings in Oxford city centre.

The £1.15m scheme is being jointly funded by the city council and Thames Valley Police, with a substantial contribution from the business sector.

The cameras will be controlled from a monitoring suite at St Aldate's police station, with operators working 24 hours a day. It should be up and running by May.

Alex Hollingsworth, chairman of the city council's highways and traffic committee, said: "CCTV will make Oxford city centre an even safer and friendlier environment for residents and visitors.

"Shoppers who feel safe tend to spend more money, which will be good news for local businesses. The backing from local companies shows their commitment to this scheme."

The new extended camera system will replace three already in place and link up with a number being operated by Oxford University in the Radcliffe Square area.

Police and councillors promised at a launch at Carfax Tower that the surveillance system would operate under a code of practice to make sure civil liberties were not infringed. Chief Insp John Ansell, of Thames Valley Police, said: "The system will be programmed not to pry into people's homes or their private lives.

"It will have a crime prevention role and can also be extremely useful should someone collapse in street. The system can also be used to help trace missing youngsters."

He said the cameras would be carefully monitored to ensure crime was not "displaced" to other parts of the city.

City centre manager Marcus Lapthorn said a survey by Oxford Brookes University showed more than 80 per cent of people backed CCTV cameras.

The new cameras are being installed after statistics revealed Oxford shoppers were increasingly concerned about muggings, pick-pockets and shoplifters.

During the next few years, money will continue to be invested to extend the system. Its managers hope to introduce cameras in other locations including Gloucester Green and the railway station.

Story date: Tuesday 16 February

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.