Police in Jackson, Mississippi, are asking residents to connect their smart doorbells to a real-time surveillance centre, in an effort to fight crime.

The mayor said the video streams would only be looked at if a crime was committed in the area.

Amazon, which owns the best-selling smart doorbell Ring, said that it was not an official partner in the scheme.

Ring doorbells to send live video to Mississippi police https://t.co/2RtZUu1MCK pic.twitter.com/ZDYLm9W47h

— iCastX Technologies (@icastx) November 5, 2020

Privacy groups said it could undermine civil liberties, especially if footage showed neighbouring properties.

The city has a partnership with two tech firms - Pileum and Fusus - to allow the crime centre to tap into live video captured by the smart doorbells.

Amazon is keen to distance itself from the trial.

"This is not a Ring programme and Ring is not working with any of the companies or the city in connection with this programme," it told the BBC.

Initially the plan is for a 45-day trial, but it could be extended if successful.