They have deployed as many as 18,000 police personnel and implemented special surveillance measures, including drone cameras, watchtowers, facial recognition technology, and additional CCTV cameras, to prevent crime and manage crowds at major shopping centers. Chennai: Ahead of Diwali , Greater Chennai Police have stepped up security to ensure the safety of shoppers across the city.
Police have also established 12 temporary control rooms, 37 assistance centres and 10 mini CCTV control rooms. An additional 205 CCTV cameras have been installed at important locations, while 100 body-worn cameras are being used by personnel deployed for crowd management. In another security measure, 199 police teams equipped with a Facial Recognition System (FRS) mobile application have been deployed to identify and monitor suspected criminals and habitual offenders.
Greater Chennai Police Commissioner A Amalraj directed officials to strengthen security in crowded commercial areas, including T. Nagar, Pondy Bazaar, Purasawalkam, NSC Bose Road, MC Road, GA Road, Koyambedu and Anna Nagar, where large numbers of people are expected to gather for festival shopping. Police personnel in plainclothes have also been stationed in shopping areas to prevent chain-snatching, pickpocketing and other crimes. Mobile X-ray baggage scanners are being used to check belongings at shopping malls and markets.