Cameras will be positioned near Sunderland Street, in Houghton; Philadelphia Lane, next to Shiney Row roundabout; and Brickgarth in Easington Lane to put a stop to yobs and vandals gathering at troublespots.

Sunderland Council has granted planning permission to fix the equipment on 10-metre steel columns at a range of sites.

The cameras, which provide 360° coverage, are expected to be up and running in the coming weeks, beaming back high-quality images to a central control room.

Coun David Tate, who represents the Hetton ward, said he welcomed the move to reduce crime in the area.

"Certainly we've been hoping to get funding for this for a long time," he said. "I'm also on the town council and we've been trying for years to get the money for this, but it's always difficult.

"We've had a few problems with antisocial behaviour in some streets and kids making a nuisance of themselves, so I think the cameras will act as a deterrent. It will put them off."

Problems Houghton residents face include underage drinking, vandalism and graffiti.

Local councillor Joseph Lawson added: "It's predominantly the younger elements making a nuisance of themselves, but there have been a few occasions when missiles have been thrown at bus windows and people have narrowly avoided serious injuries. Hopefully, the cameras will deter this kind of behaviour or identify those people who are perpetrating that activity."