The digital CCTV system in Southend featured in the October 2001 issue of Professional Security has cropped up in a parliamentary debate.
The digital CCTV system in Southend featured in the October 2001 issue of Professional Security has cropped up in a parliamentary debate. In the Lords on February 27, the Earl of Northesk asked whether there are no human rights implications or civil liberties issues attendant to the use of facial biometrics software (from Securicor Information Systems, using FaceIt software from Visionics) with CCTV, as trialled by Essex police (and reported on last month). Home Office Minister Lord Rooker replied: ?CCTV must be used fairly, lawfully and with due respect for personal privacy. The Data Protection Act 1998 provides a statutory framework for the regulation of public space CCTV schemes.? The council-run scheme operates under a code of practice based on that produced by the Information Commissioner, he added.
Ministers shrugged off Labour and Tory MPs? fears that security breaches by asylum-seekers of the land perimeter around the Channel Tunnel on the French side could jeopardise rail freight trade. Crewe Labour MP Gwyneth Dunwoody spoke in the House of Commons on March 5 of ?constant pressure of people trying to get on to freight trains on the other side of the channel tunnel?. However Under-Secretary of State for Transport David Jamieson told the Commons: ?Many of the measures that we have put in place, or have asked the French to put in place, are working.?
