CCTV Information

CCTV Cameras – they do work

As statistics point to major reductions in the amount of crime being committed where there are cameras installed, you will begin to appreciate why CCTV is seen by many as the best solution for deterrent and detection. We are sure that you would wish to avoid having to catch those who are perpetrating crime against your organisation. Generally, once a CCTV Camera system is installed, it will only be fools who attempt to perpetrate offences within its field of view. These are often caught but for the majority it will provide a very high level of deterrence.

Data protection

You must let people know that they are in an area where Closed Circut TV surveillance is being carried out. The most effective way of doing this is by using prominently placed CCTV warning signage at the entrance to the CCTV covered zone and reinforcing this with further signs in the area. Clear and prominent Warning signs are particularly important where the cameras themselves are very discreet, or in locations where people might not expect to be under surveillance. As a general rule, signs should be more prominent and frequent where it would otherwise be less obvious to people that they are on CCTV.

Now the Data Protection Act and similar legislative directions demand from any surveiller who holds video or any other form of data on public persons.... to make these available on demand! But how can you demand or request to be shown electronic data held if you were not made aware of its existence? Therefore there has to be clear CCTV Warning Signage visible for anyone passing through a surveilled/recorded area, also clearly stating a name and contact of the data protection manager or owner/operator of the system . This message can also be backed up with an audio announcement, where public announcements are already used, such as in a station. In the exceptional circumstance that audio recording is being used, this should be stated explicitly and prominently.