29 January, Vitebsk /Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. A theft of Br27.4 million from a shop in Vitebsk has been solved with the help of a video surveillance system, the Public Relations and Information Department of the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee told a BELTA correspondent.
The crime was committed in 2012. The offender entered an unlocked service room of the shop and, under the threat of a knife, openly stole Br27.4 million in cash from the cashier's desk. By reviewing the video surveillance system installed at the retail outlet, it was established that the crime was committed by a previously convicted resident of Vitebsk. The Investigative Committee has initiated a criminal case under Part 2 of Article 207 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus – "Robbery".
As noted by the Internal Affairs Directorate, this is not the only crime solved in the region with the help of video surveillance systems. With the use of modern technologies, 36 crimes were solved in 2012, compared to 29 in 2011. "Video surveillance cameras installed at various facilities are one of the effective measures for deterrence and prevention of criminal manifestations," law enforcement officers are convinced.
Currently, 613 facilities in the region are equipped with video surveillance systems, with almost half of them being trade and public catering facilities. In addition, cameras are installed at cultural institutions, sports facilities, state institutions, banks, streets, and squares. 24 public places are equipped with video surveillance systems, where 180 video cameras have been installed to maintain public order, including those transmitting video signals to the duty units of the Internal Affairs Department. The equipping with video surveillance systems will continue in 2013.-0-