Security Bureau seeks $4bn from LegCo to install 60k surveillance cameras citywide by 2028
發佈日期: 2026-02-24 19:31
TVB News
The Security Bureau is planning to apply for 4 billion dollars in funding from the Legislative Council to expand its "SmartView" surveillance initiative.
That's to meet the police's target of installing 60,000 cameras citywide by 2028 to help prevent and fight crime.
Launched two years ago, the "SmartView" initiative aims to install closed-circuit televisions or CCTVs in public places with high crime rates and pedestrian flows.
Around 5,000 cameras were installed in the first phase.
The Security Bureau says as of January, the system had assisted police in cracking down on 899 cases, including murder and robbery.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang said on the Legislative Council's Panel on Security that the second phase of the scheme is expected to begin in April.
Aiming to install a total of 60,000 surveillance cameras citywide by 2028 with artificial intelligence image analysis and other functions incorporated, the bureau is seeking some 4 billion dollars in funding.
Tang says the expenditure on actual cameras accounts for only about 1 percent of overall spending, noting how the funding is for building a citywide security system and network infrastructure.
Lawmaker Perry Yiu asked whether police manpower would be adjusted as a result of the scheme.
Tang says in the past, officers had to review footage from each camera individually after a robbery, which was time-consuming.
With "SmartView", investigations could be carried out more efficiently.
Resources could then be redeployed to areas identified through the system as high crime-risk, allowing for strengthened patrols.
The government is also in discussions with commercial organisations about connecting CCTV cameras in shopping malls and other public venues to the police system.
On concerns over the accuracy of AI analysis and possibility of misidentification, Tang says AI would not be used as the sole basis for prosecution.
While it could help narrow down potential targets, it could not fully replace the investigation of detectives.
The bureau added that data stored in the system would generally be automatically deleted within one month.
Encryption and other safeguards would be implemented to protect personal privacy.
