From the November 2010 print issue of Professional Security Magazine. A police CCTV liaison officer who’s a reader writes about a CCTV development. He does stress that these are his own views, and may or may not be those of his force.
The recent launch of ‘Internet Eyes’ allowing members of the public to view ‘live’ public space CCTV over their internet connection. The furore in Birmingham, concerning the commissioning of hundreds of CCTV and ANPR cameras, apparently without any form of public consultation. Two recent similar incidents, one in Carmarthen, the other in Carlisle involving members of the public ripping down CCTV cameras put up by their neighbours, because they felt they were too intrusive. Judge Peter Hughes QC dealing with the case in Carlisle said he was puzzled by who installed the camera.“Under what authority was it done?” he asked. “There are human rights considerations here.” Judge Hughes went on to say that had camera been installed by the police as part of a criminal investigation then the offence would have been much more serious. “But that is not the situation I have to deal with,” he said. “It is unclear why and on what basis this camera was installed. But plainly you and your partner were aware of its presence watching your activities and you took exception to it. While in no way can I condone your actions, this is far removed from a typical case of burglary. It seems you did it just to stop yourself being snooped upon.” Then there are the difficulties for the police in identifying who owns a CCTV camera, how to contact them and download the evidence. If for one reason or another the police can’t recover the CCTV, the camera owner may take it upon himself to circulate the images. The ‘Cat In The Wheelie Bin’ video going viral over the web, is a good example of this, resulting in the local police having to ‘protect’ Mary Bale. There is presently nothing to stop an individual circulating a piece of CCTV footage on the web in an effort to identify a suspect. Many of those less well informed may think that this a good idea, but it can open up a huge can of worms concerning how an identification is made, not to mention the possibility of vigilante action. All these matters are fine example of the mess we are now in due to the total lack of effective mandatory controls, associated to running public space CCTV operations, and how the recorded CCTV product can be used. At the moment it is pretty much a free for all, and individuals in particular can do what they want as regards the setting up and operation of public space CCTV, and the sharing of the recorded CCTV product. And if the rumours concerning the future of the SIA are to be believed, then even the one reasonably robust control we do have in place – the SIA’s public space CCTV operators licence, required for many but not all CCTV operators, well even that may not be safe. The fall out as regards the incidents highlighted above and the fact that the new coalition government have promised to regulate CCTV, may provide a real opportunity to address many of the problems that CCTV practitioners know have been rumbling away for many years now. But unfortunately, and as identified in the work of DCC Graeme Gerrard’s team that put together the Home Office / ACPO published National CCTV Strategy document back in 2007, this is something that requires more than just a ‘light touch’. That document alone contains 44 recommendations. Strong regulation, probably involving primary legislation, independent oversight, and an appropriately empowered enforcement body covering all types of public space CCTV, including those also recording audio, is what is urgently required. But will we get this from a government looking to reduce regulation, push back the powers of the state, and with no money to spend in this area? I sincerely hope so. Because if anything needs strong regulation, it is the protection of personal privacies, balanced against the protection of the state and public safety. Many other countries envy and look to learn from the wide ranging public space CCTV infrastructures we have in place in the UK. The technology is quite rightly something we should be proud of. We now need the legislators to catch up with the technical innovators. Primary legislation designed to address how public space CCTV can protect both the state and personal safety but not infringe unduly on our personal privacies, and so ensure the continued public support and confidence in CCTV, is urgently required. Anything less will simply be papering over the cracks.<br>Mick Harrison<br>Kent Police CCTV Liaison Officer
See also what Prof Joshua Bamfield has to say –
