Police may link MTR CCTV footage to their monitoring system
發佈日期: 2025-06-01 19:58
TVB News
The police are looking into integrating closed-circuit TV footage from multiple government departments into their monitoring system.
Sources say the integration could also include surveillance footage from the MTR as well, and the move could be implemented within this year at the earliest.
Since April last year, police have installed more than 600 surveillance cameras across Hong Kong.
The first phase is expected to reach the target of 2,000 cameras by the end of this year.
It is understood the plan could extend to MTR stations and trains, and involve feeds from the Transport Department, Housing Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, potentially linking several thousand cameras within this year at the earliest.
Sources say these departments manage a large number of CCTVs, and their monitoring systems are more compatible with that of the police.
At public rental housing estates, surveillance cameras have already been widely installed in common areas, including ground floor lobbies and lifts.
Since last year, nearly 200 mobile surveillance cameras have been mounted at housing estates across Hong Kong as well to curb objects being thrown from a height.
But not all cameras are considered suitable for police enforcement use.
Kwun Tong District Councillor Pang Chi-sang said some facial images are automatically blurred and these cameras mainly target black spots with falling objects.
Locations without recurring issues as such generally don't get cameras.
Still, Pang believes linking the CCTV feeds to the police will help crack down on crimes including theft and doorstep scams.
On privacy concerns, Pang said there should be a clear protocol for footage retrieval to help residents feel more assured and prominent signage should be set up to inform them that CCTV surveillance is underway.
