Sharjah City in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is planning to install 5,000 advanced security cameras on its roads and public places in a bid to curb crime and improve security, its police chief said. The cameras would be deployed on roads and near schools, hotels, and public parks, at government offices and vital installations, public utilities and other places, Humaid Al Hadidi said, quoted by Emarat Al Youm Arabic language daily.

“These cameras are hi-tech devices. They are very advanced as they can record picture and sound and operate on an analysis system, which will help us. The cameras will be installed over a period of five years.”

He said the project would cost around Dh30 million and the first phase would be launched within the next three weeks.

“By the end of this year, we will have installed nearly 500 cameras in key sites in the emirate.” Hadidi spoke after signing an agreement with the US computer giant Dell to manage the operation and train police personnel on the new system.