Finnish police expand video surveillance in public spaces
Finland's police plan to install cameras in ten more municipalities during 2026 to strengthen public order monitoring. Cameras are placed mainly in areas seen as higher-risk, such as shopping centers and around train stations.
Finnish police are continuing to expand their network of fixed surveillance cameras in public spaces, with plans to install cameras in ten additional municipalities during 2026. Police have not disclosed exact figures on which cities or how many cameras are involved, but say the project is proceeding on schedule. Video surveillance is already in operation in dozens of Finnish municipalities.
Police say the cameras strengthen their work by allowing faster response to public order violations, enabling patrols to be dispatched to the right location more quickly. Camera footage also plays an important role in solving crimes. Besides fixed public cameras, police already use body cameras and drones.
Cameras placed in higher-risk areas
According to police, new cameras are primarily installed in locations with elevated crime risk. New cameras are currently being put into use, among other places, in Kirkkonummi in the Western Uusimaa region. Kirkkonummi municipal head Virpi Sailas said the idea to increase surveillance emerged following a council initiative and residents' responses to a wellbeing and safety survey conducted several years ago.
Sailas said cameras are placed in locations residents consider somewhat unsafe or more troubled — mainly shopping centers and areas around train stations. In Helsinki, the video surveillance system has been operating for almost 20 years, and its camera network continues to expand.
