The Public Security Police (PSP), the entity responsible for its management, estimates a 30% reduction in crime.

"As of now, Funchal is an even safer city," said PSP National Director Luís Carrilho during the system's presentation at the Madeira Regional Command headquarters in the autonomous region's capital.

He emphasised that the new system will contribute to better crime prevention and improved public space security, emphasising that "people feel more at ease knowing there is video surveillance."

The Funchal Video Surveillance System represents an investment of 1.2 million euros by the municipality (PSD/CDS-PP), while the equipment for the Operational Command and Control Center, located at the PSP facilities, where the data is processed, costs approximately 500,000 euros.

This funding comes from traffic violations, under a protocol signed between the Regional Government and the Public Security Police, which channels the proceeds toward the acquisition of equipment.

Funchal's video surveillance system consists of 81 cameras, 65 fixed and 16 rotating, placed at 38 points throughout the city, along two main thoroughfares: one mainly pedestrian, between the Infante roundabout and the Mercado dos Lavradores, and another on the coastal avenues and the port entrance.

The data is viewed and processed exclusively by the PSP (Public Security Police) through the Operational Command and Control Center, which operates 24/7. The images focus only on public spaces, while private spaces, such as windows and terraces, are protected with "masks" that prevent them from being viewed.

The system operates solely for crime prevention and evidence gathering purposes.

According to the PSP, the cameras were installed in the most problematic areas of the city, but the number of police officers will not be reduced.

In an analysis of crime in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, authorities found that 48% of crimes occur in Funchal, the majority of which are committed against people and property, especially in the parishes in the city center: Santa Maria Maior, Sé, and São Pedro, where the majority of video surveillance cameras are located.