DISTINCTIVE cameras have been put in place around Bournemouth as the council upgrades its CCTV network.

Resident Alan Dickie spotted the devices attached to lamp posts in Castle Lane and on the Wessex Way while out shopping.

"They had a big box on the ground with a pole about eight or nine feet high with what looked like a CCTV camera on the top," he said.

"They were all chained up to lamp posts, two in Castle Lane West, one at the entrance to the hospital and one on the Springbourne roundabout. I thought they may be carrying out a traffic survey."

However Bournemouth council said the devices were new high definition CCTV cameras for spotting criminals.

CCTV manager Tony Gleason said: "We are committed to tackling crime and our investment in the town’s CCTV system is playing a vital role in ensuring people feel safe.

"Work is currently underway to upgrade the CCTV system from analogue cameras to HD.

"This is being done in order maintain the effectiveness of our system and comply with the Surveillance Camera Commissioners 12 guiding principles, the Code of Practice and also the principles of the Data Protection Act.

"We need to ensure that the images recorded on our cameras are of the highest quality for the benefit of our partners and the safety of the public."