Seychelles to boost safety with 22 new CCTV cameras for Anse Royale, with Chinese aid
Seychelles' authorities are set to install 22 CCTV cameras next year in the Anse Royale district in the south of Mahe, the main island, to help the police better tackle crimes committed in the area.
The cameras are the result of the district’s member in the National Assembly, Sylvianne Lemiel’s, project—which she started with the Seychelles Police Force in 2018—in a bid to curb illegal activities, such as vandalism at Anse Royale.
Lemiel approached the Chinese Embassy in Seychelles to ask for a donation to purchase the cameras.
The Seychelles Police Force, for its part, is also encouraging other districts in the country to implement similar surveillance projects to help curb crime.
“We have experienced many robberies and we at the Anse Royale district have deemed it important to ensure our inhabitants, businesses and visitors’ safety,” Lemiel explained to the press during the official handing over ceremony of the equipment recently.
Member of the National Assembly for Anse Royale, Sylvianne Lemiel, handing over cameras to the Seychelles Police (Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY
The cameras will be installed on steel poles in key areas of the district, such as the school, churches, and Fairyland—an area with a stretch of beach popular to visitors and locals alike.
The Chinese Embassy in Seychelles donated SCR 100,000 (US$ 7,224), and the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs contributed a little over SCR 52,000 (US$ 3,756) to purchase the 22 surveillance cameras at a total cost of SCR 159,000 (US$ 11,486).
“The installing of the CCTV cameras is a necessary step to strengthen neighbourhood watch, deter the offenders and support efforts of the police to provide better service and protection during these emergency cases which may arise,” said the Chinese Ambassador to Seychelles, Lin Nan.
The Chinese Ambassador to Seychelles, Lin Nan, presenting the donation. (Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY
The Minister for Local Government and Community Affairs, Rose-Marie Hoareau, said that the installment is not just about technology, but also “an investment in the safety of businesses, residents and others visiting the district.”
She added that this is “a step to building a stronger, more connected community where people can go about their lives with greater peace of mind.”
Meanwhile, the head of the Police Communications Centre, Mike Monthy, said, “the cameras will be able to pick up a lot of information, for instance we can record the registration number of vehicles using the road and if they are involved in any offences committed, we may also detect them.”
Over several decades, China has contributed significantly to the development of Seychelles and has helped with infrastructure projects, such as the National Assembly building, the Palais de Justice, housing estates, and the ongoing project of the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) House.
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