Ms Blears MP and Home Office minister for crime reduction officially opened the state-of-the-art Nexus Digital CCTV System on the 19th March 2004 during a visit to the Metro Control Room at South Gosforth.

She had made the trip to Tyneside to see for herself the results of her department's investment in personal security for Metro and public transport users in Tyne and Wear.

Pictured with Mr. Richard Barsby, Customer Services Operator, Ms Blears MP is shown viewing and controlling cameras on the system from a Meyertech FUSION touch-screen and ZVK-77D keyboard.

Ms Blears MP said "It is really fantastic to be here today and see the results first hand, and I must say the money has been very well spent indeed."
"The system is very comprehensive and I'm impressed at the sheer scale of what can now be seen by the CCTV cameras. The results are brilliant."

The £8.5 million security camera network is operated by Nexus who were awarded funds for the CCTV network project under the Home Office's Crime Reduction Strategy.

The CCTV network is the largest and most complex in the UK.