Surveillance watchdog issues reminder to local authority chief executives

The Surveillance Camera Commissioner has written to all local authority chief executives to remind them of their duties under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.

Tony Porter said his role required him to ensure that surveillance camera systems, such as CCTV and ANPR, are used in accordance with the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice.

Issued by the Home Office, the code sets out 12 guiding principles for using these systems with a view to achieving surveillance by consent.

The Commissioner said he was keen to understand how the code was being adopted amongst local authorities and in particular how CCTVwas used to monitor public space – “typically this would be in locations such as town centres”.

Local authority chief executives are ultimately responsible for ensuring that their council’s systems adhere to the 12 guiding principles.

The Commissioner has developed a self-assessment tool, which Porter said should be completed by the authorities’ public space CCTV manager.

The role of Surveillance Camera Commissioner was created under the 2012 Act.