The council in collaboration with the Whyalla police has over the years implemented various programs and strategies with the intention of reducing criminal activities within the Whyalla community.

Research and project officer Ann Ryan said while some of the programs have proven very successful in reducing criminal activities there still remains an element of anti-social behaviour.

To assist the local police, the council proposes to install three portable close circuit television systems at identified areas within the community commencing with the three area "hot spots".

The aim of the cameras is to give the police the ability to detect possible disturbances, potential vandalism or other anti-social incidences before they pose a real threat.

"The already over-stressed police patrols will be able to be dispatched from the station on demand as a result of video footage rather than trying to be in too many places at once," Mrs Ryan said.

"The cameras also have the added advantage of providing visual evidence of crimes as they occur."

Operations Chief Inspector Alby Quinn said the purchase of more cameras would assist in areas where crime is still prevalent.

The portable cameras will be strategically located in these areas and will be moved around the city accordingly, to address other areas where criminal and community safety priority exists.

"These cameras will be able to be moved to locations where intelligence has identified crime is occurring or is likely to occur in the future thus placing police on the front foot to address crime within the city," Inspector Quinn said.

Mrs Ryan said the cameras would be useful in deterring the number of incidences of repeating offenders and the breaking of these types of patterns within the community.

"In April of this year, the council installed three fixed cameras at the Whyalla Foreshore which has already proven to be very successful in reducing the incidences of vandalism, "hoon" behaviour and other anti-social incidences."

She said the police in Whyalla are clearly committed to what can done to prevent a crime from reoccurring and to supporting youth and families in trouble.

Mrs Ryan said the overall aim of the project is to break the criminal "life cycle" by using the cameras as an early intervention model and where necessary rehabilitate the offender.