The Government said today that the island-wide CCTV system is in its final stages of implementation — although no time frame was given for the project.

The new system of 247 cameras, which has faced several delays since it was unveiled in July, was expected to be up and running before the end of last month.

A spokesman for the Ministry of National Security said 190 cameras “have been successfully installed and are operational, actively monitoring strategic locations across the island”.

He added: “The ministry continues to monitor and test these cameras to ensure optimal performance and coverage.”

However, the latest figure appears to contradict a statement made by the Minister of National Security, Michael Weeks, last month.

At a press conference on July 11, after a spate of violence rocked the island, Mr Weeks said the system was “more than 80 per cent complete”.

At the time, he said he was “very confident it will be finished in the next few weeks”.

The Royal Gazette contacted the ministry today to clarify Mr Weeks’s previous statement.

The ministry responded that the system is “already proving to be a vital tool in law enforcement as several of the cameras are already operational”.

The ministry was said to be working closely with its partners such as Digicel, the Corporation of Hamilton, the Corporation of St George’s and Belco to complete the project.

“Their efforts have been instrumental in our progress thus far,” Mr Weeks said.

He said the implementation of the CCTV system “underscores the Government's focus on public safety and the use of the latest technology”.

He praised police staff who received specialist training this year to monitor the system.

“I commend our officers who underwent comprehensive training at the Police COMOPS centre.

“Their proficiency in utilising the new system, including advanced video analytics, will be crucial to its success,” he added.

In January, the Government said delays had pushed the completion date back to the end of April.

At that deadline, a spokesman for the ministry said that work would continue until at least the end of May, adding that heavy rains and a lack of asphalt had caused the delay.

July was then announced by the ministry for the network to be fully operational.

At the time, a spokesman said: “As the ministry previously stated, the project's island-wide implementation encountered delays due to frequent storms last summer and other circumstances beyond the control of the ministry and its CCTV partner, Digicel.”

In April, the Free Democratic Movement warned that the new cameras may represent “an unlawful search and infringe on a person’s freedom of association”.

The FDM raised questions after meeting residents from the Loyal Hill area of Devonshire.

After hearing their concerns, Omar Dill, an FDM branch chairman, wrote a letter to Mr Weeks asking that he meet residents.

Responding to the concerns, Mr Weeks said the ministry was satisfied “that none of the cameras in our system will intrude on anyone’s individual privacy”.

“Residents across Bermuda can be assured that while this new system will enhance our overall security, no rights to privacy will be compromised.”

Today, Mr Weeks restated the Government’s position.

He said: “We understand and respect the privacy matters in the deployment of this new camera system.”

He reassured residents that “our system is designed with stringent privacy safeguards that will ensure that privacy rights are protected”.

“I hasten to add that we have had a dialogue with the Privacy Commissioner on this matter to ensure that we have considered all factors around privacy.”

Mr Weeks added: “No cameras will intrude on individual privacy. The primary focus is on public spaces and roadways.

“We are committed to maintaining a balance between boosting security and respecting the privacy rights of all residents.”

The FDM created a website that it said was intended to “bring awareness to the vastness of the proposed CCTV cameras”.

It encouraged the community “to assist with the accuracy of the camera placements” by sending pictures to locations@listentothepeople.net.

• The website is at www.listentothepeople.net