Government pushes on with CCTV strategy as research reveals trebling of cameras

The government vowed to press ahead with its national CCTV strategy this week as research shows that the number of cameras controlled by local authorities has almost trebled in the last ten years.

Research by Big Brother Watch, an offshoot of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, claimed there are at least 59,753 CCTV cameras controlled by local authorities in Britain – or one camera for every 1,000 people.

Portsmouth and Nottinghamshire Councils have the highest number of cameras under their control with 1,454 each.

Alex Deane, director of Big Brother Watch, said: “Local councils across Britain are creating enormous networks of CCTV surveillance at great expense, but the evidence for the ability of CCTV to deter or solve crimes is sketch at best. The quality of footage is frequently too poor to be used in courts, the cameras are often turned off to save money and control rooms are rarely manned 24-hours-a-day.”

He added that CCTV was often a placebo for local authorities, “designed to appease neighbourhoods suffering from anti-social behaviour problems” and a cheap alternative to conventional policing.

Responding to the Big Brother Watch report into the use of CCTV by councils, a spokesman for the Local Government Association said: “Local residents consistently tell councils they want additional CCTV installed because it makes them feel safer. There is clear evidence from independent studies that CCTV deters crimes such as burglary, and it was footage from these cameras which helped bring the failed 21 July London bombers to justice.

“In tough financial times, councils are not going to spend money on installing CCTV cameras unless they genuinely believe doing so will help reduce crime, catch criminals and make people feel safer.”

In a written statement to Parliament earlier this week, Crime and Policing Minister David Hanson insisted that CCTV enjoys a high level of public confidence in tackling crime.

The minister announced changes that would see more active involvement of those in the CCTV industry, whether in the public or private sector, in the development and implementation of national standards on the installation and use of CCTV.

In its recent Building Britain’s Future publication, the government promised local people a greater say on the use of CCTV in their areas. It plans to produce guidance for crime and disorder reduction partnership in 2010.

The minister has also appointed the Forensic Science Regulator, Andrew Rennison, as interim CCTV Regulator. The role will see Rennison advise the government on the use of CCTV in public places, including the need for a regulatory framework overseen by a permanent CCTV regulator. He will also work closely with the national CCTV strategy board.

While the interim CCTV Regulator would not have responsibility for deciding the appropriate use of individual cameras, he would be able to help explain to the public how they can complain about intrusive or ineffective CCTV placement or usage.

In a further move, the government will be shortly establishing an Independent Advisory Group with representatives from business, CCTV operators, community and third sector groups to monitor and provide direction on implementing the national strategy.

“Through these new arrangements, we intend to ensure that CCTV continues to be an important tool available to communities to help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour,” Hanson said.