Residents on a notorious South Woodford estate blighted by anti-social behaviour have welcomed the installation of two CCTV cameras after months of campaigning.

Campaigners set up a petition calling for action to be taken on Queen Mary’s Avenue in High Road, South Woodford following reports of vandalism and drug dealing.

Circle 33 – the housing association managing the blocks in Queen Mary’s Avenue – consulted on cost and placement of the cameras for more than a year.

Two CCTV cameras will be introduced by Redbridge Council this week.

Inesa Savukaite, 19, a resident, said: “CCTV is the first step in helping hard-working residents feel protected and safe in their own homes and we hope Circle 33 do more to manage the situation at hand.”

MP for Woodford Green, Iain Duncan Smith, Cllr Emma Best and Cllr Tom McLaren, who backed the campaign, described the move as a “big win” for the residents of Queen Mary Avenue where the trouble has been at its worst.

Cllr Best said: “The installation of cameras is a positive first step and a sign we’re moving in the right direction.

“Residents here love living in South Woodford, but unfortunately their lives are being blighted by a small group of individuals.”

Another petition, calling for the eviction of several residents from the development, is also being circulated round the estate.

It reads: “We believe that the leaders of the group should be evicted and the followers should be cautioned. We want residents who cause this amount of problems to know that it will not be tolerated.”

Mr Duncan Smith said Redbridge Police will also be conducting regular patrols of the area in a bid to end problems on the estate.

“There have been ongoing issues at the estate and this will hopefully deter what is going on here,” he said.

“The estate was meant to be a nice place to live but there has just been issue after issue. Redbridge police has confirmed it will be conducting regular patrols in the area, so this and the cameras are long overdue.”