Wessex Fire & Security has unveiled a new, cut-price high specification CCTV system which can become part of a person’s online life.

The latest generation of cameras has infra-red technology and everything is recorded 24 hours a day and the footage is viewable on smart phones and tablets.

With live pictures available, home-owners can check if the postman has arrived, whether they left their garage door open or if the workmen have turned up.

They can lie in bed at night and watch foxes knock over their bins, or see who is making all the noise outside. And images can be uploaded and shared on social media platforms.

Chris Stott, managing director of Wessex Fire & Security (WFS), which is based in Shaftesbury, Dorset, said the reasons for having CCTV are changing now that real-time footage is available and affordable.

He said: “It’s not all about security anymore, although that is still the main reason for having CCTV. It’s also about remote living verification.

“Our new product is incredibly versatile and a basic installation would typically have two cameras, professionally cabled and installed, monitoring the front and back of a property.

“We find customers use them for a number of things, such as watching badgers at night or seeing who knocks on their door through the day.

“We are able to provide systems for an extremely competitive price and existing customers receive a further reduction as well as annual servicing.

“With the potential to prevent and detect crime and add to a home-owner’s online life, CCTV will soon become standard.”

For existing WFS customers a two camera system can be installed for under £1,000, which includes a screen and a storage device with a 30 day capacity.

Modern cameras have a good ‘sweep’ and are effective over longer distances than previous ones.

Householders are also taking more responsibility in gathering evidence at the request of police, according to a report from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC).

Inspector of Constabulary Roger Baker, who led the inspection, said: “…effectively what's happened is a number of crimes are on the verge of being decriminalised.”

It is therefore becoming more important for people to be able to provide evidence should they become a victim of crime.

A professionally installed CCTV system can also reduce insurance premiums, and some polices require them.

Wessex Fire & Security works across the south in both domestic and commercial sectors and is part of the family-owned Wessex Group.