Lambeth Council is investing £1.1m on CCTV cameras in their fight against crime.

The council will be replacing around 75 existing cameras over the next five years to improve their network - plans which were approved by the cabinet last week.

The council’s CCTV network has already provided hundreds of images that have helped trace rioters and suspected looters from last year's August riots.

In December, Hakeem Walker, the ringleader of a violent gang who hurled bottles and smashed the windscreen of a police can police during the riots in Coldharbour Lane in Brixton was jailed for two years after CCTV evidence was shown in court.

As part of the council’s plans, “intelligence led” mobile cameras will also be introduced to target ‘hotspots’ regularly affected by gang and anti-social behaviour.

A spokesman for Lambeth Council said: “Residents regularly tell us that safety is their number one concern.

“This spending reinforces our commitment to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour on our streets, town centres and estates.”