Hong Kong’s “Smart View” initiative to install CCTV cameras has achieved success in combating crimes, as police have observed a 42.5 percent reduction in certain street crimes and solved over 351 cases since its rollout, Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming said.
The program, launched in April last year, targets high-crime and high-traffic public areas across the territory.
Watchful Eyes: 2,000 more CCTV units in 2026 after crime drop
In an exclusive interview with Sing Tao Daily, The Standard’s sister newspaper, Chow said the results of the initiative, part of his “smart policing” strategy, were highly encouraging. He announced plans to install an additional 2,000 CCTV units next year.
He emphasized accelerating deployment and integrating the system with surveillance networks operated by other government departments and the MTR.
Chow noted that the initiative has helped solve 157 theft cases, 37 burglaries, and five homicides.
Public demand and expansion timeline
Comparing average crime data from the second quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2025, street offenses--vehicle theft, pickpocketing, arson, robbery, and assaults--fell to a range of between 4.2 to 42.5 percent in areas with CCTV coverage.
Some district councils have requested additional cameras due to the program’s effectiveness, he added.
This year, authorities will install 2,000 CCTV units—each containing two to three cameras, totaling around 5,000 lenses—with some capable of 360-degree recording.
Another 2,000 units will be added next year, with the goal of doubling coverage by 2026 or 2027.
Future tech: facial recognition, AI integration
Chow also expressed interest in incorporating facial recognition and artificial intelligence into the surveillance network, citing overseas systems that automatically detect traffic accidents and dispatch officers without requiring emergency calls.
He acknowledged privacy concerns but assured the public of strict guidelines and transparency efforts, aiming for implementation within years.
Drone patrols enhance border, rural security: Joe Chow
Chow also said the police have been piloting drones to patrol border fences, reducing inspection times from over two hours on foot to real-time monitoring from command centers since May.
Chow said drones now conduct rural patrols amid increasing vehicle thefts in the northern New Territories.
Drone deployment in the Yau Tsim district starting in June has already led to four solved cases and three arrests, including pickpocketing and drug-related offenses.
The pilot program will conclude by early September, followed by an evaluation before expansion to other districts.
Maritime enforcement and cross-border cooperation
For maritime enforcement, Chow said the Marine Police have used drones since 2017, primarily for search-and-rescue operations and monitoring smuggling and illegal immigration.
A real-time CCTV system has also enhanced efficiency in waterway policing. He addressed recent incidents of mainland personal watercraft entering Hong Kong waters, pledging continued technological upgrades and cooperation with mainland authorities to strengthen border security.
(Staff reporter)
