If you have been a regular reader of my blog you will know that I’ve been working on a National Surveillance Camera Strategy for England and Wales. You’ll know that I started work on it back in January, have enlisted a group of industry experts to lead on specific work strands and have been developing high level objectives and delivery plans. All this work has culminated in us issuing a draft strategy which I am now consulting on.
Direction and leadership
The strategy aims to provide direction and leadership in the surveillance camera community to enable system operators to understand best and good practice and their legal obligations, such as those contained within the Data Protection Act and the Private Security Industry Act, and then to apply that understanding to demonstrate compliance with the principles of the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice and any other associated guidance.
I want to make sure that the public are assured that surveillance cameras in public places are there to keep and make them feel safe, and that those cameras are deployed and used responsibly as well as transparently in a way which is proportionate to why they are there in the first place.
I just mentioned that there are key strands of work – 10 in total. Each strand will have supporting delivery plan setting out specific actions and outputs. Delivery plans will be completed and published in 2017.
Help shape the strategy
Whilst many people have helped to get this draft strategy in to shape – to the point where we can share it widely – what I really want is the views of anyone with an interest in surveillance cameras. Installers, manufacturers, designers, operators, law enforcement agencies, local authorities, business and of course members of the public. If you have an interest in this area please read the draft strategy and complete our on-line survey to submit your views.
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2 comments
Comment by David WALKER posted on
Hello - i have recently referred an issue to the commissioner regarding the suspected misuse of CCTV by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
The matter was referred on 27/9 and reminded on 15/10. We have still not received a response and continue to have our Article 8 EHCR breached. Can you help please?
Thanks
David
Comment by mickkelly posted on
David - thanks for getting in touch about this. Sorry we've not responded but we will look in to this and get back to you as soon as we can.
Thanks