POLICE will be given live access to closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) from across WA in a bid to better monitor antisocial behaviour.

Police Minister Rob Johnson this morning announced the Blue Iris CCTV Register would allow police to view and retrieve live footage from CCTV cameras to allow faster action when an incident occurred. 

Mr Johnson said he expected the system would see up to 6,000 cameras across WA linked to police access by the end of the year.

“Blue Iris will be a valuable tool to police operations and crime prevention across WA,” he said.

“Government agencies, local authorities and businesses will be invited to register with the new system to allow police to have live access to CCTV cameras in their area or on their premises.”

Work is already underway to link more than 1,500 cameras from bodies including the Public Transport Authority and the Perth Airport complex within the next four months.

Police already have live access to nearly 600 cameras across the State.

Mr Johnson said the initiative would help manage large public events including Australia Day Skyworks and New Year’s Eve celebrations.

The Blue Iris system is a main component of the State Government’s $6 million Community Crime Prevention Program to help fight crime at grassroots level.