Local authority funding of CCTV has been in decline for some time; but there are some great examples of partnership working to ensure that the CCTV that protects our citizens remains effective, remains proportionate, and remains switched on. So says Tony Porter, the Surveillance Camera Commissioner. He is among speakers at the next Security TWENTY 16 event, ST16 North, at the Hilton Deansgate Hotel in the centre of Manchester on Tuesday, July 5.
He’s a return speaker to the ST series of events. To recap briefly, he’s the man who bangs the drum for the surveillance camera code of practice which, in his words, ‘contains 12 guiding principles, which if followed, will ensure that your surveillance camera systems are used proportionately, effectively and transparently’. The commissioner’s office has launched a self-assessment tool, and a third-party certification scheme in November; two early takers of the certification, Enfield borough in north east London and Glasgow, were featured in Professional Security magazine last year. (The National Security Inspectorate (NSI), SSAIB and IQ Verify are the three certification bodies that can take CCTV systems through the scheme.)
Among Tony Porter’s updates is an upcoming strategy document, to point the way to standards, for installers, manufacturers and users of public space CCTV, whether security managers, police or criminal justice. While only local government and police users of public space CCTV have to abide by the code, Tony Porter is calling for other users to voluntarily adopt the code of practice, as the right thing to do for ‘surveillance by consent’ and for practical efficiency, to make sure that cameras are fit for purpose.
Tony Porter speaks of – thanks to local authority CCTV having to share the general public sector austerity – a ‘brain drain’: ‘if experienced CCTV managers are being and will be replaced with new people who lack the detailed knowledge of their predecessors, where do they start? As I have said, millions is being spent on surveillance camera schemes and when that’s by a public authority, that is taxpayers’ money. How can someone new to an area make sure that money us being spent wisely? Quite simply by following an operational requirement. My standards group have been working hard to rework the Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) operational requirement.’
As part of his standards-raising strategy, Tony Porter hopes to launch a new operational requirement shortly.
For the other speakers at ST16 North, visit https://professionalsecurity.co.uk/security-events-and-conferences/security-twenty-16-home/.
Like all ST events, the conference-exhibition is free to attend, whether you’re a security manager, installer, specifier or consultants, or just someone who wants to update themselves on the private security sector and do some networking. And there is such a thing as a free (buffet) lunch! Organisers at Professional Security ask that you register beforehand, purely to help with catering for numbers and to have your name badge ready at reception. The conference starts at 9.30am but the exhibition room is open earlier; if you arrive around 8.45am, you can have a free bacon butty (but they do go, so late arrivals may be disappointed!).
To register visit the event home page or email organiser Liz Lloyd at [email protected].
As at previous ST events, there’s a sit-down but informal dinner the evening before at the venue for exhibitors and their guests.
