The number of burglaries on a troubled housing estate has fallen by more than half after the introduction of CCTV cameras.

Estuary Housing Assoc-iation installed 15 cameras on the Woodgrange Estate last November.

Since then, there has been a 55 per cent drop in home burglaries alone, and a 30 per cent overall reduction in crime.

Other improvements include a 43 per cent drop in car crime and 38 per cent fewer incidents of criminal damage.

Resident Bob Sanlan, 45, who has lived on the estate for 13 years, said the cameras had had a noticeable effect on the community.

He said: "It is a lot quieter now.

"Youths are not hanging around. I've also noticed there are more young women walking around on their own and I don't know if that is down to the cameras making everyone feel much safer.

"I was part of the initial planning process. This is no Big Brother type thing - just watching the estate for trouble.

"Everyone I have spoken to is quite happy about it."

The cameras are monitored round the clock by Southend's CCTV Control Centre. Insp Kevin Turner, community safety inspector for Southend, said: "The results show what a dramatic impact CCTV cameras have had on crime on this estate.

"We fully support this sort of initiative and the rapid improvments it can make to so many people's lives."

Ian Robinson, executive councillor for crime reduction, said he was delighted residents were being helped in such a positive way.

He said: "The results give overwhelming evidence of how CCTV can give added security as criminals know they have nowhere to hide."