Engineers are now working hard to get an expanded network of CCTV cameras up and running.

Staff from security company BAS-Serco have been tasked with installing around 150 cameras across the Island as quickly as possible — providing almost double the coverage that existed under the previous system. The new network of hi-tech cameras, which will cost $6.5 million over the next five years, also have facial recognition and automatic number plate recognition capabilities.

The new cameras were expected to be operational from the start of this month, when the former system was taken out of service. But the project has been hit by technical snags resulting in a lack of coverage in some areas. Police have said they will step up patrols in certain neighbourhoods while the network is being installed.