Does CCTV Really Reduce Crime?

In the UK, home of twenty percent of the world's CCTV cameras, there is mounting concern about its invasion and lack of regulation. "UK Public CCTV Surveillance Regulation Campaign."

The thought-provoking questions they ask are good ones.

They want to know, for instance, why, if television programming and licensing is so heavily regulated in the UK that the same legislators have never considered licensing for CCTV use and installation? They ask also if the crime statistics touted by CCTV proponents are accurate, or if the criminals are merely being moved down the road to commit crimes elsewhere.

They want to know if civil liberties are being taken into consideration, or if they're ignored and thus violated. They want to know if close circuit television is really worth what they're paying for it. Does it really, for instance, deter crime, provide swift proof of guilt and reduce the number of police officers needed to keep a vigilant watch?

They also ruminate about whether these cameras, once in place, are actually being adequately monitored. If, in fact, there are enough folks doing the watching that quick response can be affected once a crime in action is caught on camera. If that is not the case - if, in fact, as they suspect, one person is paid to view a vast number of monitors at one time, then the cost of the equipment may in fact not be offset by the policing authorities' availability to arrive on the scene in a timely fashion.

There are many concerns for the rights of citizens caught on tape as well. What, for instance, is the policy on who sees what faces and how long those faces remain on tape and where?

To what other uses and outside firms will information garnered by CCTV be handed out? Will racial profiles of neighborhoods, for instance, be sold to commercial marketing companies? If these videos are sold to outside firms what's to keep them from using them in commercial ways that would include the display of photos? Might not an advertising agency, for instance, use the photo of a prominent person such as an entertainer or politician, as part of an advertising campaign? And if so, what about the rights of said entertainer or politician? What about her or his rights to financially gain from the commercial enterprise?

These and many other questions are being asked by concerned British residents who see CCTV as potentially invasive if not regulated, and in the hands of the wrong people.

They also point out zealously that the May 2000 Declaration of Human Rights, delivered in Strasbourg, confirms the illegality of the unregulated and undisclosed use of CCTV. Its Article 8 stated it to be an interference to the applicant's right to expectation of privacy and that this interference was a direct result of its not being regulated by any governing agency.

Robert Michael is a writer for WC Cctv which is an excellent place to find cctv links, resources and articles. For more information go to: http://www.wccctv.com

Latest CCTV and security news from Safe Homes UK

Release date: 13 April 2006
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Commercial security specialists Safe Homes UK has released its latest roundup of security news and quirkies, aimed at security managers, facilities managers, and UK businesses in general. Latest security news stories to catch the eye as follows.

First, the Security Information Authority (SIA) has firmly denied making "special arrangements" with anyone in the security guarding business. Some companies had been claiming they had special dispensations from the SIA regarding licensing for their operation.

Further afield the authorities at a university in Bosnia have installed CCTV to stop their students from cheating in exams. The measures were taken after a study revealed that up to 90% of its students were using underhand means to gain passing grades.

The government has also been busy. Five new guides are now available aimed at helping businesses (and residents) tackle vandalism in their area, and the Information Commissioner has decided to delay publishing the Code of Practice until summer 2006 - issues yet to be resolved include uncertainty over how long information should be kept by CCTV operators and how any new guidelines will relate to the Data Protection Act.

The dangers of abusing CCTV have also been highlighted in recent weeks. In Newcastle, for example, an investigation is underway after people were caught trying to sell images of naked art lovers. The CCTV pictures were taken during a photo shoot by Spencer Tunick. The artist specialises in photographing crowds of naked people in unusual locations.

Further south, Bournemouth Borough Council has been forced to apologise to a local resident. The woman discovered that a camera intended to monitor the centre of town was able to see directly into her bedroom

Visit the Safe Homes UK website for all the latest security news and quirkies. You can also subscribe to a free security management e-bulletin to be kept up-to-date.

Notes to Editors

1) Safe Homes UK is a leading independent provider of commercial security solutions to UK businesses and properties. We specialise in implementing cutting-edge intruder alarm and access control systems, including CCTV and biometric security, and are trusted to protect the staff and premises of some of the UK's leading organisations nationwide.

We deliver peace of mind through our strict maintenance, monitoring and reporting regime, and we are audited and accredited to the highest professional and commercial standards by SSAIB, as well as the IS0 9001 quality assurance standard. Safe Homes UK is also a corporate Crimestoppers partner.

2) Safe Homes UK
Borman
Lichfield Road Industrial Estate
Tamworth
B79 7TA
Tel. 01827 60082
Fax 0870 585 0113