Surveillance camera code of practice consultation
A coalition agreement for government includes a commitment to further the regulation of CCTV. A draft code of practice for surveillance cameras has been prepared and released for consultation.
According to the Home Office there has been a proliferation in the use of CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems operated in public places in England and Wales by both public and private bodies. As well as increased capability to protect people and property, investigate incidents and bring crime to justice, these technological developments also increase the risk of interference with a citizen’s right to privacy. To ensure those who operate camera systems demonstrate integrity and are held to account, the coalition agreement for government includes a commitment to the further regulation of CCTV, which has now been enacted in legislation through the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.
Alongside the consultation document is a draft code of practice which introduces a philosophy of surveillance by consent.
If you have not yet provided your comments on the draft code, you can do so up until the 21st March 2013 via the home office webpage:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/surveillance-camera-consultation/?view=Standard&pubID=1149167