As accidents caused by high speed and driving under the influence of alcohol have increased at night in Dili, attention is turning to alternative methods to monitor the city.

Police believe the video surveillance cameras will enable them to detect illegal and reckless activity and respond swiftly to reduce accident potential.

Speaking from police headquarters in Dili on Thursday, Minister for Interior, Longuinhos Monteiro, said that the cameras would assist police keep eyes on all parts of the city at all times.

Júlio da Costa Hornay, the General Commander of National Police, said the new cameras were a tool that would assist his officers identify problem areas they would then investigate. Hornay said surveillance cameras should also be installed at the airport, harbor and land borders to effectively monitor movement.

The cameras were funded by the Chinese government.