Bengaluru Police geo-tags over 5.35 lakh CCTV cameras to boost surveillance

Bengaluru city police have successfully geo-tagged more than 5.35 lakh CCTV cameras across the city, marking a major leap in digital surveillance aimed at improving public safety and crime control. This initiative, part of a broader technology-driven policing strategy, has seen a sharp rise from 2.32 lakh geo-tagged cameras in January 2024.

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The geo-tagged cameras are strategically placed in high-traffic and sensitive zones such as residential areas, commercial hubs, highways, schools, hospitals, traffic signals, and banks. Each camera has been assigned a unique identification number and logged into a secure server accessible only to police personnel.

By leveraging data from the Mobile Companion for Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (MCCTNS), the geo-tagging process enables faster response times, precise tracking, and effective investigation support. The initiative also helps identify surveillance blind spots, particularly in locations where crimes have previously occurred without any CCTV coverage, allowing for targeted future installations.

Authorities say this digital infrastructure will serve as the groundwork for upcoming smart policing measures, including automated patrolling, real-time analytics, and enhanced city-wide security monitoring systems.

As of April 30, the West division reported the highest number of geo-tagged cameras at 1.05 lakh, followed by Whitefield, South-East, and South divisions. The enforcement also aligns with the Karnataka Public Safety (Measures) Enforcement Act, 2017, which mandates CCTV installation in places with significant public footfall.