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Local authorities

Trusted partnership with trusted private sector partners

The use of biometric surveillance by the state is a matter of increasing sensitivity and significant public concern - not just here but globally. As almost all of the technological capability for biometric surveillance is privately owned, the only way we will be able to harness the legitimate uses of that technology in the future is in trusted partnership with trusted private sector partners.

One Year Later… The Commissioner reflects on his time in post so far at the National NPCC CCTV Conference

Officially one year into my term as the Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, I gave the keynote speech at the NPCC’s National CCTV Conference in Bristol recently. I took this opportunity to reflect on several trends emerging of the last …

Government launches consultation on proposed revisions to the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice

Photo of CCTV cameras

The government has launched a consultation on proposed alterations to the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice. This is the first revision to the Code since its introduction in June 2013.

Framework Service Level Agreement

The Service Level Agreement (SLA) framework is a guidance document designed to help you and your organisation develop an SLA yourselves. An effective SLA is a crucial part of any partnership working arrangements between organisations. This template has been designed specifically for partnerships between relevant authorities defined at section 33(5) of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (local authorities and police forces) regarding the operation of surveillance camera systems.

Appointment of Professor Fraser Sampson - the new Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner

Professor Fraser Sampson

Hello! I’m Fraser Sampson, the new Surveillance Camera Commissioner (and Biometrics Commissioner too). I came into post on 1 March and with so much going on in both the world of surveillance and biometrics, I’m sure the next few weeks and months are going to be busy, but I think this is an exciting time and I’m looking forward to the road ahead.

Survey of Local Authorities Compliance with the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012

Abstract image with the words'local authorities'

Earlier this year I sent a survey to LAs in England and Wales to gain a better understanding as to the extent to which they were complying with their statutory responsibilities arising from Section 33(1) of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (PoFA) and the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice, in connection with their use of overt surveillance camera systems in public places.

How effective are Video Surveillance Systems (VSS)?

Image of two CCTV cameras

Video Surveillance Systems are operated by most Local Authorities in England and Wales and are intrinsically linked with operational policing to protect the public and ensure their safety. So how effective are they and is the cost of installing and operating those systems really worth it?