Hong Kong police to put up 6,400 more surveillance cameras over 3 years

Hong Kong police aim to install up to nearly 6,400 sets of surveillance cameras over the next three years, with the force revealing that the more than 600 devices already set up under the initiative’s first phase have helped to crack 97 cases so far.

Senior Superintendent Leung Ming-leung laid out the plan at a meeting of the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) on Tuesday, explaining that the force was in the process of installing 2,000 sets of cameras under the scheme’s ongoing first phase.

Police said 612 sets had already been installed in various districts, with three more to be added by the end of the year and the remaining 1,385 to be set up over 2025.

The force would then install up to 2,500 sets annually, reaching about 7,000 in 2027, Leung said, adding that the figure could be even higher depending on how technology developed.

The first stage of the scheme has largely focused on installing cameras at government facilities, transport hubs and on standard and smart lamp posts.

“We hope to enhance the local security level, especially to deter street crimes,” Leung said.