INTERNET connections in Bromley are set to revolutionise school security across London.

The Safer Bromley Partnership is about to start a pilot scheme where CCTV cameras are hooked up to school broadband services.

This will mean operators at the central CCTV control room in the Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley, can see break-ins and vandalism taking place live.

Cameras placed around participating schools will be activated by movement in playgrounds and buildings.

People can be "followed" on screen, warned over a loudspeaker they are being watched and reported to police.

Screens for the project will remain blank until an intruder is detected.

Partnership chairman and portfolio holder for public protection and safety Councillor George Taylor said: "This is a breakthrough in security for schools.

"This exciting new scheme should go a long way to combating break-ins and out-of-hours anti- social behaviour in London's schools.

"Action can be taken at the time a crime is actually happening.

"This significantly increases the likelihood of catching the perpetrators and preventing any misdemeanours altogether."

The pilot scheme starts in one Bromley school from the beginning of next term.

It is hoped the service will eventually be extended across the whole of London.

The council has not released the name of the schools which are taking part.

It is running the scheme in collaboration with London Grid for Learning.

This provides broadband and network services for schools across the capital.

The scheme has been made possible thanks to a £310,000 upgrade to the control room which monitors Bromley's streets.

This upgrade means the camera images can be stored digitally rather than on videotape.

Thanks to this, they can be more easily searched, stored and used by the police as evidence.

Cllr Taylor added: "We are proud to have such an up-to-date CCTV facility here in Bromley."