PEOPLE up to no good in Ipswich streets and parks may soon be hearing voices.

Ipswich's Safe City system is about to become more vocal in its bid to improve safety and reduce crime.

Ipswich City Council is investigating the trial of surveillance speakers that will be located close to Safe City cameras.

The proposal is that two or three speakers will be installed in vandal "hot spots".

Like a public address system, the speakers will allow Safe City staff to talk to anyone in the vicinity.

Arts, Community and Cultural Services Committee chairman Charlie Pisasale said the speakers would be another way of keeping an eye on vandals and other trouble-makers.

"We're going to work with the community on this," Cr Pisasale said.

"WE WANT the speakers to be there for their protection and remind people up to no good they are under surveillance," Cr Charlie Pisasale said.

"We won't be using this at every whim.

"It's not warranted all over the city.

"This system is being extensively used in the United Kingdom and areas in Victoria and Sydney."

Three "emergency call points", similar to the proposed speakers, are already in operation near the River Heart Parklands water feature.

"They have proved most effective," Cr Pisasale said.

"They allow two-way communication where people can talk into a speaker to Safe City control room operators and the controllers can respond."

The proposed new speakers would allow only one-way communication from the control room.

Ipswich's Safe City program began with 10 cameras in 1994 and now has more than 160 cameras from Goodna to Rosewood.

Division Three Councillor Victor Attwood said a surveillance speaker would help with problems in Goupong Park, Redbank.

A Safe City camera was installed in the park last year.

"Residents in Namatjira Drive (near the park) are in contact with Safe City all the time," Cr Attwood said.

"The police have increased their patrols.

"The anti-social behaviour has decreased but it still needs to be improved."

Cr Attwood said using surveillance equipment was a worldwide trend.

"As long as you obey the laws, you have nothing to worry about," Cr Attwood said.

Cr Pisasale said Safe City was now the biggest public surveillance safety system, including police in the same facility with links to police communications, anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere.

Safe City cameras are monitored 24/7.

Cr Pisasale said footage from the cameras was used as evidence in court every day of the week.

"The footage is only used for police investigation and prosecutions," Cr Pisasale said.