The cameras are designed to allow CCTV control room staff to talk directly with offenders about anti-social behaviour such as littering.

The scheme is also part of a drive to reduce assaults, disorder and damage offences, a police spokesman said.

Two of the cameras will be fitted in Hyson Green and St Ann's, with one each in Sneinton and Hockley in May.

Clear message

Supt Allan Breedon of Nottinghamshire Police said: "These talking CCTV cameras are another way of us dealing with people who do not want to follow the rules.

"It is not about being offensive to people - it is getting a clear message to people that what they are doing is not acceptable.

"It is not starting from a sledgehammer approach and using forceful language. We will use language that people will understand."

About �500,000 is being spent adding speaker facilities to existing cameras in 20 areas across England.