Africa-Press – Seychelles. The police have confirmed that 123 surveillance cameras have been installed in various strategic locations in Victoria and its surroundings to help detect crimes.
It was assistant police commissioner Antoine Denousse who made the announcement in the National Assembly yesterday morning.
He was answering a question posed by the elected member for Bel Air, Norbert Loizeau, put to the Minister for Internal Affairs, Errol Fonseka, on behalf of the elected member for Ile Persévérance, Desheila Bastienne.
Given the types of crimes and thefts being registered in various areas across the country, Mrs Bastienne wanted to know the state of the surveillance cameras in Victoria and its surrounding areas.
The question was in the same line as that of the elected member for Glacis, Regina Esparon, presented on her behalf by the elected member for Au Cap, Kelly Saminaden, on plans of Mr Fonseka’s ministry to increase surveillance cameras in Victoria and its surrounding areas with the aim of monitoring criminal activities taking place and if they are also considering installing cameras in the districts, especially in black spots, in the future.
Assistant commissioner Denousse who, for security reasons, did not give details on how many cameras are not working and where they are situated, said at least 60% are working full time and they have been very important in detecting crimes.
He noted that while the police are tendering out a maintenance contract for maintenance work on the cameras, talking about their state could be an advantage to criminals.
He stated that the police have bought various modern equipment to complement the surveillance cameras.
He added that the replacement of surveillance cameras is a continuous process depending on the budget available.
Mr Denousse also said the police are looking at creating a national system to link all its cameras across the country and those from government ministries, agencies, parastatals, among others, as well as those belonging to the private sector if they wish to collaborate. This will be through an online system via the command centre for better control and monitoring of criminal activities.
He also mentioned that the police drones are making such an impact in surveillance duties in Victoria and in the districts, adding that the officers operating the cameras and drones are well trained.
For his part, Minister Fonseka said although the police are making many arrests in relation to crimes, such activities keep increasing and to help countering such crimes they will need the support of everybody.
With regard to a question by the elected member for Baie Ste Anne Praslin, Churchill Gill, as to when will the construction of the new police station begin as per the approved plan and what type of renovation will take place on the building that the ‘Meyer’ shop owner exchanged with government, assistant superintendent Joseph Bibi, director general for human resource and administration in the police force, said the building housing the shop will be converted into a police station and that renovation work will start any time this year to be completed by the end of December 2023.
Explaining further, he said the location is ideal for the station which will comprise all police associated facilities including cells for adults (men / women separately) and juvenile, a scientific room, a CID office linked to separate adult and child friendly interview rooms among others.
He noted that the area around the building being used by officers of the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) will be turned into a police barrack and storage of exhibits.
He added that the current police station will be turned into an administrative block.
Mr Bibi added that the construction project will also include a living facility for police officers.
He said the cost for the construction of the new police station was R26 million, while the renovation of the shop to be converted into a police station will amount to R12 million.
He further said the savings will be used to further improve the working environment of police officers in general.
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