The City of Antwerp has announced that it is to further expand its network of CCTV cameras. A further 64 cameras will be added bringing the total number of surveillance cameras operated by the city authorities or the local police service in Antwerp to 819. The Mayor of Antwerp Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist) told VRT news that CCTV cameras are a useful tool in the fight against crime and nuisance behaviour.
The City of Antwerp started the rollout of CCTV cameras in 2000. Then the first cameras were installed along the city’s busiest shopping street the Meir. Further cameras were later added in Antwerp North and in the city’s Borgerhout district.
Of the 64 new cameras, 55 will be fixed surveillance cameras and 9 will be fixed ANPR cameras
Of the 819 cameras that will be then in place 583 fixed cameras and 40 mobile cameras will be operated by the city authorities. 183 fixed and 10 mobile ANPR cameras and three drones are operated by the Antwerp Local Police Service.
Temporary cameras
The city authorities invest around 1.4 million euro annually in the expansion and maintenance of the camera network. More attention is also being given to the use of mobile surveillance cameras.
Mr De Wever says that such cameras will be deployed in areas where a fixed camera offers little added value, but the installation of a mobile camera can help combat temporary nuisance issues should the arise. The cameras are also useful for the gathering of evidence, Mr De Wever told VRT News.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence will also play an increasing role in the camera network. "A pilot project with AI cameras in Deurne to catch fly-tippers resulted in 87 anti-social behaviour fines being issued in 3 weeks.
Normally, a camera operator would have needed 70 hours to process the footage. Thanks to artificial intelligence it only took 3.5 hours", Mr De Wever said.