Modern surveillance systems bring substantial benefits to urban communities, says Philip Ingram MBE. 

Over 300 hours of surveillance footage gets recorded every minute in major cities worldwide.

Urban security has changed dramatically with modern surveillance systems that protect communities better.

Smart technology has evolved beyond basic security cameras and created an intelligent network that keeps cities safer.  

Cities now use advanced security systems that combine artificial intelligence, smart sensors and analytics effectively.

New camera technologies enable live threat detection, quick emergency response and better traffic control.

These innovations represent a vital shift in urban security that promises safer neighbourhoods while addressing privacy concerns.  

AI-powered surveillance systems are changing urban security like never before. Smart technologies and AI could help cities and improve emergency response times by 20-35% according to a Deloitte report, “Surveillance and Predictive Policing Through AI.”   

Advanced machine learning algorithms have transformed threat detection in urban areas.

These systems process massive amounts of data from social media, surveillance cameras and smartphones.

AI-powered solutions analyse data of any type and give a detailed 360-degree view of crime management and investigative intelligence.  

According to ESI ThoughtLab: Smart City solutions for a riskier world, quoted in the Deloitte Report, these features have made a substantial difference Cities are making use of facial recognition and biometrics (84 per cent), in-car and body cameras for police (55 per cent).  

However, the use of surveillance cameras and data processing in the UK must be in accordance with all relevant legislation including the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA), the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, where applicable.

This means that careful oversight and the application of a necessity and proportionality test for all public body surveillance systems is essential.

Of course, Artificial Intelligence and surveillance is attracting additional attention and the EU have adopted the Artificial Intelligence Act suggesting that it “ensures safety and compliance with fundamental rights, while boosting innovation.” When it comes to private use of surveillance systems it is too easy for individuals to fall foul of some elements of the legislation.  

Predictive security measures show us what urban safety will look like tomorrow, but is being trailed today, and not just for security.

According to Wired Magazine, “From October 2022 until the end of September 2023, Transport for London (TfL), which operates the city’s Tube and bus network, tested 11 algorithms to monitor people passing through Willesden Green Tube station.

The AI system was set up to detect potential safety incidents to allow staff to help people in need, but it also targeted criminal and antisocial behavior.” Machine learning and big data analysis help us spot patterns, connections and trends in vast amounts of crime and terrorism data.   

According to Securelist by Kaspersky, “AI-enabled solutions gather live data from traffic cameras and GPS devices to learn about vehicle flow, congestion spots, and high-risk zones across cities and excel at traffic management. Smart technologies can be used to spot subtle signs of new or advanced threats.”  

Edge computing is just one of many new privacy-preserving technologies that helps create a surveillance system that protects individual rights while maintaining security. 

Modern surveillance systems have transformed urban security and become more affordable through innovative strategies such as edge computing combined with cloud storage solutions.   

Several different sources have quoted remarkable results in multiple cities from their surveillance systems: Shanghai has highlighted a 30% reduction in crime rates, Singapore 35% decrease in street crime, Vancouver 30-40% reduction in criminal activities.

It seems that across the world, the privacy issues are not as important as security as 90% backing public space CCTV run by local authorities.  

“Smart surveillance systems represent a crucial investment in public safety, delivering measurable results across metropolitan areas worldwide,” notes security expert Dr. Sarah Chen.  

Advanced AI capabilities paired with edge computing and cloud storage solutions create a resilient framework for urban security.

Technology enhancements are reducing infrastructure costs by 40% whilst maintaining high security standards. However, effective surveillance systems must balance security needs with privacy concerns while remaining cost-effective.” AI-powered analytics and privacy-preserving technologies will continue to evolve, making cities safer and more efficient.  

Modern surveillance systems bring substantial benefits to urban communities. Smart implementation of these technologies creates safer cities with strong privacy safeguards and affordable operations. 

However, the legislation around its use and processing of data can be complicated and the need to ensure the protection of sensitive data can be a challenge at times.

Technological advances are addressing these challenges alongside enhancements to the technological capabilities themselves.   

This article was originally published in the January 2025 Edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.