Sweden plans to deploy more equipment to better tackle gang crime, with the government promising the police an additional 2,500 cameras for next year and allowing the use of facial recognition, easier use of drones and external cameras, Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer told a press conference on Tuesday.
Sweden is to launch a new “camera offensive” to tackle gang crime as shootings and bombings between rival gangs continue to rock the once peaceful northern kingdom.
“Cameras are extremely important in a situation like this,” said Strömmer.
In total, the right-wing coalition parties (Moderates, Christian Democrats and Liberals) want the police to have 2,500 cameras next year, instead of the previous target of 1,600, with the minister adding that extra cameras should be granted if further investigations into surveillance lead to law.
In other words, this means a fivefold increase in the number of cameras since the new government took office, Strömmer added.
“In a situation where fewer and fewer people dare to talk to the police, the need for technical evidence is crucial, and we already know that cameras are extremely important,” he said.
If changes to the law are passed, police will be able to make greater use of facial recognition using AI technology in order to make it easier to identify criminals, such as gang members. The government also wants to make automatic number plate recognition a tool for the police.
Under the proposed changes to the law, they will also have more opportunities to use drones and direct access to external cameras, such as the Swedish Transport Administration’s road cameras.
CCTV has been effective in fighting serious crime in other countries, such as the UK, says Liberal MP Martin Melin, who does not believe that more cameras are a threat to people’s privacy.
“I don’t think people are worried about being filmed, but they are worried about having their house blown up or being shot at while shopping,” he declared to the press.
(Charles Szumski | Euractiv.com)
