SECURITY has been enhanced at a Dorset school with a new state-of-the-art CCTV system.

Purbeck School in Wareham now has digital CCTV after its old analogue system was updated by Wessex Fire & Security.

The new system gives the school more control and increases the safety of students and staff.

Shaftesbury-based Wessex Fire & Security did the upgrade with extra cameras for under £5,000.

Wessex Fire & Security turned the school’s analogue equipment into a digitally encoded IP system without the need to change the existing cameras.

Security surveyor Chris Trim said: “This work just shows how it is possible to upgrade analogue CCTV systems without changing the cameras.

“We were able to do it within the budget, demonstrating that it is much cheaper than many people realise.

“We were able to retain the existing cameras, but turn the signal into a digital one.

“This gives far better picture quality and much more information can now be stored.

“Footage can be searched with greater speed and we are easily able to add extra cameras.”

Mr Trim said CCTV can serve other purposes in school.

He said: “Among other things it can help staff look at the flow of students and decide how that can be better managed.

“There is complete site-wide coverage at the school and we can install enhancements in the future at little cost.”

In September the school became a full secondary school and has students ranging in age from 11 to 18.

Sarah Cuff, the school business manager, said: “Having modern CCTV is important especially when we have almost 1,000 students here.”