CRIME-HIT Govanhill will be under 24-hour police surveillance by the end of the summer.

Some seven state-of-the-art CCTV cameras are to be switched on in September, several months later than planned.

The Evening Times revealed last year the high-tech equipment had been ordered following a campaign by locals.

The south side community was left reeling by a spate of sex attacks and residents have also complained about persistent anti-social behaviour.

The cameras were due to be installed in January and switched on in the spring but the project was delayed.

Victoria Road, Allison Street, Calder Street, Dixon Avenue, Annette Street, Garturk Street, Langside Road and Westmoreland Street will now be monitored by CCTV from September.

Footage will be viewed by police and employees of Community Safety Glasgow, the council’s arms-length organisation that tackles crime.

The cameras will have “privacy filters” so people are not watched through the windows of their own homes, according to a source close to the project.

“The cameras will be managed and monitored 24 hours a day from the Glasgow Operations Centre at Eastgate, which is where over 450 Public Space CCTV cameras are monitored across Glasgow,” said the source.

“There are a number of agencies represented within the centre with Police Scotland having staff permanently based there to assist the communication and directing of resources.

“The operations centre can directly communicate with the police control centre, in terms of sending live streams of CCTV images.

“As well as providing an deterrent against crime in Govanhill, the cameras will provide the opportunity to develop high quality evidential packages in assisting police detection rates in the Govanhill area.”

The source added: “The cameras can utilise privacy filters to block out specified areas, for example residential properties.”

Locals led a campaign for CCTV cameras to be installed, which was backed by politicians.

Councillor Soryia Siddique said: “Residents, specifically females, have raised ongoing concerns regarding fear of crime in the area.

“Last year I successfully campaigned for and welcomed Community Safety Glasgow’s commitment to implementing CCTV in Govanhill.

“It is expected the cameras will be operational by September, subject to technical work.

“This combined with an optimised policing strategy should help make Govanhill a better place to live.”

The ‘Let’s Save Govanhill’ group, who are campaigning for improvements in the area, welcomed the development.

More than 150 people met last night at Govanhill Neighbourhood Centre for the group's first meeting.

Secretary Fiona Jordan said: “We had to run more than one session because so many people came along. We are very grateful for the response.

“Last night was about setting out who we are and our common sense demands.

“CCTV is one of many things that can help improve the lives of people in our community - more must be done.

“We intend to hold the council and our local MSP, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, to account."

Find out more about the campaign by visiting www.letssavegovanhill.com.