Chennai: The CCTV cameras with face- detection technology inaugurated by the City Police commissioner, AK Viswanathan in T Nagar a week ago has already proved to be helpful, police say. On October 11, one of the cameras in North Usman Road detected a crime suspect based on the information fed into the system. The control room personnel alerted the patrol team, which detained the man.

The suspect was identified as Sami, a resident of the same locality. “He had a case of assault against him in Mambalam police station. He was questioned and let off”, said a senior police officers.

In a return of their 2013 experiment, City police have installed several cameras with facial recognition technology to aid them in identifying the usual suspects during the busy shopping week in T Nagar. “Pictures of more than 500 crime suspects have been fed into the system and an alert would be sent to the control room if any of the camera identifies a suspect to be among the crowd”, a police officer said.

City Police Commissioner A K Viswanathan exuded confidence in a similar event in Pudupet saying that such technology would prevent criminals from attempting to rob from public.

“The crowd usually serves as a perfect cover for them as they sneak their way out after a robbery. But, with several of our men working round the clock and with the aid of CCTV cameras, we believe they (robbers) won't risk it”, a police officer said.

According to police officers, T Nagar would require more such facial recognition cameras in the longer run as it is usually busy round the year. Apart from the cameras equipped with face-detection technology, 250 cameras have been installed at various other locations and over 1,000 policemen have been deployed on security detail. Five watch towers and three police booths have been set up in T Nagar. In case of any emergency public can contact - 9498162626.