All news

Moscow’s CCTV cameras help to detain 7,700 people on federal wanted list

According to Sergey Sobyanin, thanks to the face recognition algorithms employed by Moscow’s video surveillance system, burglaries in Moscow reduced many-fold

MOSCOW, February 8. /TASS/. Footage from Moscow’s network of CCTV cameras helped to detain over 7,700 people from the federal wanted list, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said.

"You know, there have been lots of skeptical remarks regarding the CCTV cameras system in Moscow, there were all sorts of insinuations: this is a bad thing, it will be used to spy on someone. Naturally, the system is working for the benefit of security in the city first and foremost. By now, a total of 7,713 people from the federal wanted list have been detained in Moscow’s subway and on city streets," Sobyanin told Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in the Kremlin on Tuesday.

"Those were pure criminals," he added.

The mayor added that face recognition algorithms employed by Moscow’s video surveillance system can identify a wanted individual within a few seconds and send a signal to the police.

"As a result, for example, burglaries in Moscow reduced many-fold, because criminals realize that even if they cover their face with a mask, the system can still identify them. Even if [a miscreant’s face] is completely covered, he can still be tracked with the help of the CCTV network, and the crime will be solved," Sobyanin added.