Secutiry cameras are set to be rolled out to tower blocks across Oxford after a pilot scheme cut antisocial behaviour in one city high-rise.

A six-month trial scheme in Foresters Tower, Wood Farm, was last night hailed a success after figures revealed the CCTV cameras deterred yobs from causing trouble in the tower block.

The £52,000 pilot scheme was launched in October after residents complained about being plagued by youngsters urinating in stairwells and intimidating residents.

Now Oxford City Council looks set to extend the scheme to three other tower blocks in the city - Plowman, in Marston, and Windrush and Evenlode in Blackbird Leys - affecting almost 300 flats.

Hockmore Tower, in Cowley, may be excluded because of its position above Templars Square Shopping Centre.

Residents in Foresters Tower said the block's six cameras - which cover the communal entrances, foyers and lifts - had helped cut trouble.

A survey of residents carried out by the city council after cameras had been installed showed 71 per cent had not reported antisocial behaviour since the cameras had been installed.

They claimed problems including vandalism, graffiti, litter, rubbish, drunkenness, drug abuse, groups of people being aggressive, urinating in the lifts, and door buzzer harassment had reduced.

Louise Fleming, chairman of the Foresters Tower tenants and residents association, said: "I think it has made quite a lot of difference. A lot of the older people in the tower block feel much safer."

One resident, who asked not to be named, said there had been a significant drop in trouble since the cameras were installed.

But the 42-year-old added: "When there has been antisocial behaviour we have asked them to look at the cameras and they are not very quick off the mark. But it is definitely better than nothing."

Patrick Murray, the city council's housing portfolio holder, said: "I think the results of the pilot scheme have been pretty successful and have proven that it has made quite a significant difference to the level of antisocial behaviour.

"We think it represents good value for money and will improve people's security in other tower blocks as well."

He added some of the blocks already had security cameras but they were not connected to any central system and did not cover crucial areas such as the main entrances.

Pam Hurnok, 69, who has lived in Evenlode Tower since it was built in the mid-1960s, said: "We have quite a lot of trouble. They have smashed fire alarms and kicked in a door."

Oxford City Council has earmarked £215,570 for the roll-out this year.

Its executive board is due to discuss the plans, which have been recommended for approval, on Monday and the cameras could be up and running by January.