Real-Time Surveillance Helps Police Detect Crimes and Catch Offenders.
Sharjah: How 172,544 CCTV Cameras Are Strengthening Public Safety
From busy highways and residential communities to commercial districts, Sharjah’s extensive network of 172,544 advanced surveillance cameras has become a key pillar of the emirate’s public safety efforts. The high-tech system helps police investigate serious crimes, manage traffic, and respond quickly to emergencies.
The surveillance network has also increased public confidence, with 99.7 per cent of residents reporting that they feel safer due to the emirate’s advanced monitoring infrastructure.
Operated by Sharjah Police, the network includes smart analytical cameras, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems, and early warning technologies deployed across residential, commercial, and industrial areas.
Operating around the clock, the cameras support security, criminal investigation, and traffic operations by allowing officers to monitor incidents in real time, track vehicles, identify suspects, and collect evidence to assist investigations.
Lieutenant General Abdullah Mubarak bin Amer, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police, said that the surveillance network has become a vital tool in crime prevention, identifying violations, and improving the speed and efficiency of police responses.
“Surveillance cameras play a crucial role in tracking vehicles, solving crimes, recovering stolen vehicles, and detecting violations such as begging, illegal street vending, and traffic offences,” he said.
Evidence that strengthens investigations
Bin Amer said CCTV footage often serves as critical evidence, particularly in cases where crimes are discovered after they have occurred.
“When a crime is detected only after it has been committed, surveillance footage becomes an essential piece of evidence during the investigation,” he said.
The high-resolution cameras enable investigators to capture clear images of individuals and vehicle number plates, helping them trace movements, reconstruct events, and establish accurate timelines to support criminal investigations.
The surveillance system has helped police identify suspects, investigate hit-and-run incidents, monitor acts of vandalism, and verify witness statements.
“Security cameras eliminate the need for assumptions. Police can use recorded footage to guide investigations, confirm leads, and ensure decisions are based on evidence and facts,” Bin Amer said.
Cameras help solve major cases
Sharjah’s surveillance network has played an important role in resolving several serious cases.
In one incident, police used camera footage to track a driver who fled after striking a pedestrian. The system captured the vehicle’s movements and revealed that the driver had used a fake number plate, which was later removed and discarded. After being confronted with the recorded evidence, the suspect admitted to the offence.
In another case, Sharjah Police recovered a vehicle that had been stolen in Abu Dhabi after surveillance cameras detected it entering the emirate. Officers tracked the vehicle’s movements through the network until the driver was located and arrested.
Authorities said the system enables investigators to follow vehicle routes across multiple cameras, helping them reconstruct movements connected to serious accidents and criminal investigations.
Improving road safety
Sharjah Police emphasised that the role of surveillance cameras goes beyond issuing traffic fines. The technology is aimed at improving road discipline, encouraging compliance with traffic laws, and promoting safer driving habits.
Authorities said the goal is to educate motorists, strengthen adherence to regulations, and reduce dangerous behaviour on the roads.
In one case, surveillance cameras captured a motorist repeatedly committing traffic violations on a Sharjah road over the course of a month. When called in by police, the driver denied the offences, but the recorded footage confirmed the violations.
Supporting businesses and resolving disputes
Sharjah’s surveillance network has also played a role in resolving disputes involving individuals, businesses, and workplaces.
Police said camera recordings have helped settle disagreements between families, customers, and employees by providing an objective record of incidents.
Businesses are required to install surveillance systems and connect them to the police operations room, particularly those operating in sensitive sectors such as banks, exchange centres, and jewellery stores.
Ensuring Compliance with Camera Regulations
Teams from the Criminal Investigation Department regularly inspect buildings to ensure surveillance systems are installed correctly and remain operational.
Under Executive Council Resolution No. 28 of 2015, which outlines security requirements for vital facilities, establishments that fail to comply with surveillance regulations may face fines ranging from Dh5,000 to Dh15,000. Authorities may also impose additional measures, including the closure of facilities or suspension of licences when required.
Sharjah Surveillance System at a Glance
- 172,544 security cameras installed across key locations throughout Sharjah
- 19,903 residential buildings, commercial establishments, and industrial facilities covered under a separate surveillance camera compliance system
- Around 200 companies are licensed by Sharjah Police to provide surveillance camera installation services.
- The systems include smart analytical surveillance, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology, and early warning capabilities.
- The network supports crime prevention, traffic monitoring, investigations, and faster emergency response.
With one of the region’s most advanced surveillance networks, Sharjah continues to invest in smart security technology to strengthen public safety and equip police with faster and more accurate tools for preventing and investigating crimes.
