Market Trends of Europe Surveillance Camera Industry
Increasing Demand for Cameras for Ensuring Public Security
- Security cameras enable real-time surveillance of areas and activities, allowing rapid response to emergencies or anomalies. Hence, the growing crime rate across different regions of Europe creates a favorable outlook for the growth of the market studied. For instance, according to a report by the Federal Criminal Police Office, in 2023, Germany reported a 5.5% Y-o-Y increase in crimes, taking the number of reported cases to 5.94 million.
- Similarly, crimes in other European countries have also increased. For instance, according to the Office of National Statistics (France), in 2023, about 643,000 theft offenses without violence were reported in France. Hence, such trends are anticipated to drive the demand for surveillance cameras in the region.
- Since the invasion of Ukraine the previous year, Russia has been steadily expanding its extensive facial recognition surveillance system. According to the Moscow Times, as of August 2023, over half a million cameras were installed across the country, with Moscow accounting for 40% of the total, with over 200,000 cameras. However, the surveillance practices are being extended to other Russian regions, with 80,000 cameras installed in Moscow and 67,000 in St. Petersburg. Tatarstan has the most surveillance cameras, 32,000, while the Chukotka Autonomous District in the Far East has 15 cameras.
- To enhance the sense of community security and control crime rates, other European countries are also increasing the adoption of surveillance cameras, supporting the growth of the market studied. For instance, in April 2023, members of the Kirkcaldy Area Committee (Scotland) agreed to issue over GBP 57 thousand (~USD 71.4 thousand) from the local area budget to install self-sufficient cameras.
- As technology progresses, surveillance cameras incorporate the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI), facial recognition, and other features, increasing their versatility and value. In February 2024, SK Telecom announced its participation in the upcoming Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2024 (“MWC 2024”) in Barcelona, Spain. The company is expected to showcase a range of AI-driven future technologies, including communication services, network infrastructure, and real-world applications. As SK Telecom continues its transformation into a global AI company, it will occupy a 992 sq. m exhibition area in Hall 3 at Fira Gran Via, the primary convention venue for MWC 2024. The company will present telco-centric AI technologies under the theme ‘AI, on the Point of Inflection.’
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United Kingdom to Witness Significant Growth
- In the United Kingdom, demand for surveillance cameras is on the rise, spanning various sectors. Notably, cities in the public sector are increasingly testing surveillance cameras for diverse applications. For example, the police in Cornwell, England, recently trialed an AI-based road safety camera. This system, developed by Acusensus, flagged nearly 300 law-violating drivers in just three days. Of these, 180 were for seat-belt violations and 117 for using mobile phones. This initiative was a collaborative effort involving multiple regional organizations, including the police.
- Statistics from the UK's Office for National Statistics reveal a notable uptick in reported dangerous driving offenses. In 2022/23, England and Wales saw 4,851 such offenses, up from 4,112 the previous year. Recognizing the security benefits, law enforcement authorities are ramping up surveillance camera adoption. In a significant move, the UK police announced plans in June 2023 to introduce facial recognition cameras following a landmark AI deployment at the King's coronation. Despite concerns over heightened surveillance, the UK government deems facial recognition a cornerstone of its policing strategy.
- Facial recognition's integration into security cameras bolsters security, notably in identifying individuals accurately, thereby mitigating unauthorized access and associated risks. This heightened security appeal has led to increased adoption not just in law enforcement but also in other sectors. British retailers are increasingly turning to AI-powered facial recognition to combat shoplifting. This move, likened to 'airport-like security' by a human rights group, has seen a surge in demand. Facewatch, a prominent UK surveillance firm, reported an exponential rise in demand for its products in 2023, attributed to a spike in shoplifting and in-store violence.
- Residentially, the trend continues, with more Britons investing in advanced surveillance cameras for a range of purposes, from bolstering home security to monitoring pets and infants. With demand escalating across major sectors, the UK surveillance camera market is poised for continued growth in the coming years.
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