Skip to main content

Community Safety CCTV - Annual Standards Report 2023 to 2024

Home Office Surveillance Camera Code of Practice Guiding Principles And Privacy impact review

Requirement	Review of Compliance
1. Use of a surveillance camera must always be for a specified purpose which is in pursuit of a legitimate aim and necessary to meet an identified pressing need.	The operation of the Public Space Surveillance Network in Stockton on Tees is done so for a specific purpose, detailed within the Code of Practice. The Privacy impact assessment for the Scheme and new CCTV installations documents the purpose for each individual camera and this is subject to annual review.
2. The use of a surveillance camera system must take into account its effect on individuals and their privacy, with regular reviews to ensure its use remains justified.	The CCTV system takes into account the impact CCTV has on a business, property, location and an individual by carrying out a yearly privacy impact review. A camera specific review is carried out for all new CCTV installations.
3. There must be as much transparency in the use of a surveillance camera system as possible, including a published contact point for access to information and complaints.	The following documents are published on the authority's website for members of the community and to show full and complete transparency: CCTV Code of Practice Service Standards/Privacy Impact Review Annual Performance Report Surveillance Camera Code of Practice: self- assessment tool Contact / ownership details are also available via the website and Code of Practice.
4. There must be clear responsibility for all surveillance camera system activities including images and information collected, held and used.	Details of responsibilities are contained within CCTV Code of Practice. Images and Information that is collated are held securely and can only be obtained via a strict monitored procedure.
5. Clear rules, policies and procedures must be in place before a surveillance camera system is used, and these must be communicated to all who need to comply with them.	Existing systems or procedures have been in operation since 1994 and updated as and when required. CCTV Code of Practice and any additional guidelines, including operational procedure manual for control room staff are available.
6. No more images and information should be stored than that which is strictly required for the stated purpose of a surveillance camera system, and such images and information should be deleted once their purposes have been discharged.	Non evidential images are system deleted after 31 days. All stored information/working copies/master copies of the CCTV evidence must be signed and collected by the officer involved on the case. Any non - Police Enforcement agencies are handed the working copy of any evidential images and the master is stored in the SBC control room for 3 years before being destroyed.
7. Access to retained images and information should be restricted and there must be clearly defined rules on who can gain access and for what purpose such access is granted; the disclosure of images and information should only take place when it is necessary for such a purpose or for law enforcement purposes.	All requests for the release of data shall be processed in accordance with the procedures detailed within the Code of Practice. All such requests shall be channelled through the data controller. The system owner has responsibility for oversight of this procedure. Primary requests to view data generated by a CCTV System are likely to be made by third parties for any one or more of the following purposes: providing evidence in criminal proceedings (for example, Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, Criminal Procedures & Investigations Act 1996) providing evidence in civil proceedings or tribunals the prevention of crime the investigation and detection of crime, this may include identification of offenders identification of witnesses Access restrictions apply as detailed in the CCTV Code of Practice. All retained Images are documented and signed out by authorised personnel and third parties only.
8. Surveillance camera system operators should consider any approved operational, technical and competency standards relevant to a system and its purpose and work to meet and maintain those standards.	CCTV operators are trained to the national standard and are fully competent. This is evidenced by obtaining the SIA accredited licence for Public Space Surveillance. Annual training, supervision and appraisals help to enhance knowledge and competency standards. Random checks are carried out to support or address any competency issues not picked up through direct daily supervision.
9. Surveillance camera system images and information should be subject to appropriate security measures to safeguard against unauthorised access and use.	Appropriate security measures are in place as detailed within the CCTV Code of Practice. All images and information are securely held within the control room. Access to such images is strictly controlled and Network video recorders are securely locked away and access to downloaded images is Controlled and signed out by authorised persons only.
10. There should be effective review and audit mechanisms to ensure legal requirements, policies and standards are complied with in practice, and regular reports should be published.	All legal requirements, polices and standards met, as detailed in the CCTV Code of Practice. All policies are strictly controlled by the system owner and data controller as well as duty supervisors, regular checks to ensure compliance of the polices and standards are completed. Regular reports are produced showing statistical information on footage reviews. Home office guidance is followed using the recommended principles.
11. When the use of a surveillance camera system is in pursuit of a legitimate aim, and there is a pressing need for its use, it should then be used in the most effective way to support public safety and law enforcement with the aim of processing images and information of evidential value.	The System has been designed to assist in the prevention and detection of crime and to support public safety. The Codes of Practice have been written and reviewed to take into account all factors.
12. Any information used to support a surveillance camera system which compares against a reference database for matching purposes should be accurate and kept up to date.	CCTV operators or supervisor's complete electronic incident reports. This information is audited, monitored for accuracy and kept up to date. All data is stored and deleted as appropriate, working to guidelines.

No further action required for each requirement.

Prev : Service standards

(opens new window) Print entire document