STUDENTS and teachers at York St John College could soon be protected by a state-of-the-art CCTV security system.

College bosses have applied to build a 24-camera CCTV system to protect the college campus and to upgrade the building used by the college's security staff.

The college has been the scene of a number of break-ins in recent years, including an incident earlier this month in which a security guard was attacked after disturbing two burglars.

College spokeswoman Linda Stephenson said: "York St John College is in the process of installing a brand new CCTV system on the Lord Mayor's Walk campus to increase security management on site.

"The upgrade in security systems has been planned for some time and with the imminent opening of the new buildings on Lord Mayor's Walk, a fully integrated, state-of-the-art digital system has been applied to the whole site."

Students' Union President George Brichieri said the CCTV system would be a "wonderful development."

The SU backed the idea and had been fully involved with planning the system, he said.

Mr Brichieri said: "It is absolutely necessary to give good security to students, some of whom have said they are vulnerable to crime.

"We hope this (CCTV system) will address the situation and provide good security for all." A spokeswoman for Natfhe, the university and college lecturers' union, said the union welcomed improved security measures as long as privacy was taken into account.

She said: "Speaking generally, this is something we are in favour of. Natfhe does support anything that increases and improves the safety of students and staff at universities and colleges.

"Obviously privacy is something that must be considered and so the increased security should be implemented after consultation with staff and students to ensure they are happy with the increased surveillance."

Updated: 10:43 Saturday, April 19, 2003