Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has decided to install 11,000 additional CCTV cameras across the capital and set up a new police camp in Mohammadpur to strengthen surveillance and tackle rising crime.
The move comes amid growing concerns over juvenile gangs, mugging, extortion, militancy and drug-related crimes in several parts of the city.
Speaking to BSS, Acting DMP Commissioner Md Sarwar said 700 CCTV cameras would be installed in Mohammadpur alone, where criminal activities involving teenage gangs and armed offenders have increased recently.
“We will install 11,000 more CCTV cameras across the capital to strengthen surveillance and curb crime,” he said.
He said the expanded surveillance system would improve security monitoring and help law enforcement respond more effectively to criminal activities.
The DMP has also intensified block raids, police patrols, checkpoints and intelligence surveillance by plainclothes officers in crime-prone areas.
Sarwar said police were regularly arresting people involved in extortion, mugging, narcotics trade and other offences.
He said an additional police outpost would be established in Mohammadpur because of its high crime rate.
A new police outpost was recently inaugurated in Basila and additional police personnel have already been deployed there, he added.
To strengthen operational capacity, additional deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners and patrol inspectors have been assigned to all 50 police stations under the DMP.
DMP Deputy Commissioner for Media and Public Relations NM Nasiruddin said around 1,910 CCTV cameras were currently operating across the capital.
Of them, around 710 are operated directly under DMP or government management, while another 1,200 are managed by local law and order committees and residents’ associations in areas including Gulshan and Banani.
He said the surveillance system was helping police prevent theft, robbery and traffic congestion.
Nasiruddin said the process to procure more CCTV cameras was underway, with the tender process currently in progress.
Temporary CCTV cameras are also installed during major national events, including Pahela Baishakh, International Mother Language Day and Independence Day celebrations, he said.
Around 175 temporary cameras were deployed during this year’s Pahela Baishakh festival.
He said CCTV footage had become an important tool for identifying suspects, solving criminal cases quickly and ensuring rapid response through the police control room.
