Police in the city of Orlando in Florida are using a brand new video surveillance system to monitor activity across the metropolis.

According to the Sun Sentinel, the $1 million (£622,000) network is the largest in the state and is similar to one being planned in Boca Raton.

The project was launched in 2007 and has brought together 150 CCTV cameras across the city, which are now monitored 24 hours a day.

A further 100 cameras located in private communities and on business premises can be accessed by police as part of the system.

"Instead of having police at every corner, we can see what's happening and tell them where to go," said Orlando Police captain Jon O'Grady, outlining the benefits of the network.

He confirmed that the force now hoped to reach agreements with theme parks and universities in Florida to tap into their CCTV cameras and include them in the city-wide surveillance system.

Posted by Roger Isaacson