Advertisement
Hong Kong police
Opinion
SCMP Editorial
Editorial
SCMP Editorial

Smooth roll-out of surveillance tech will help Hong Kong combat crime

While cameras and facial recognition technology must be deployed carefully, their use can ultimately help ensure public safety

2-MIN READ2-MIN
Listen
A CCTV camera in Mong Kok on April 13, 2025. In the first phase of the SmartView programme, completed in 2025, the police installed 5,000 cameras and integrated another 6,000 from other departments and organisations. Photo: Eugene Lee
SCMP Editorial
Editorials represent the views of the South China Morning Post on the issues of the day.
Hong Kong has been slower than other parts of the world to embrace the use of surveillance cameras and facial recognition technology in the fight against crime. But the city is catching up. The first phase of the government’s SmartView programme, completed last year, saw the police install 5,000 cameras and integrate another 6,000 from other departments and organisations. This is just the beginning. Around 60,000 cameras are expected to be in place by 2028 and another 6,500 will be added by 2031. It is a dramatic expansion. The HK$4 billion (US$511.6 million) scheme only began in April 2024.

Facial recognition technology, which can match faces in public places to databases, helping police identify suspects, is set to be introduced this year. It is taking longer than expected to roll out. The police are still resolving legal and technical issues, ensuring officers are well prepared and that the public is ready. Given the intrusive nature of such tools, it is worth taking time to ensure their introduction is smooth and successful.

The integration of cameras installed and operated by other departments will help speed up investigations. Cameras are not only to be deployed in crime hotspots but also on major roads and at MTR station entrances and transport interchanges. They are to cover public housing estates, sports venues and border control points. Collaboration with the private sector is also being explored, including with shopping centres.

There is no doubting the value of surveillance cameras in tackling crime. The police revealed that the SmartView system has helped crack 899 cases, including murders and robberies, as of this year. This is recognised around the world, with the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore and Japan among the nations using CCTV cameras to catch criminals.

Select Voice
Select Speed
1x
AI-generated voice