CCTV cameras to be turned off in Westminster

Dozens of CCTV cameras in central London are to be turned off to save money after Westminster Council voted in favour of the move tonight.

The network of 75 cameras will be switched off on the first of September.

The council says it has no legal requirment to provide cameras, and that the existing system is old and unreliable. It is currently used mainly by the Metropolitan Police to secure arrests and prosecutions.

More than one and half million pounds has been set aside to replace it, but the council says that's not enough without additional outside financial support.