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Watchdog: Councils Cutting Back On CCTV

Watchdog: Councils Cutting Back On CCTV

Councils are cutting back on the use of CCTV cameras to try and cut costs, a surveillance watchdog has warned.

Tony Porter, the surveillance camera commissioner, has said he is concerned about local authorities scaling back on cameras because it would make it harder for police to combat crime.

Mr Porter told The Independent town halls could face increased scrutiny of their use of CCTV, including potential inspections and enforcement.

He said: "There are an increasing number of examples where councils and employees are citing a lack of money as being the rationale to reduce the service or completely change its composition - and that does concern me.

"Because CCTV isn't a statutory function, it is something a lot of councils are looking at.

"Most people recognise the utility of CCTV for supporting law enforcement.

"To degrade the capacity may have an impact on police.

"It may well be that they will find it increasingly difficult to acquire the images that will help them investigate crimes.

"I do think public authorities should be held to greater account. If that is some form of inspection and enforcement notice.

"I think that can be achieved with a fairly light touch."

The British Security Industry Authority estimates there are up to six million CCTV cameras, with around one in 70 publicly owned.

Mr Porter has written to council chief executives to remind them of the law and code of practice.

He is due to reveal the findings of a review into standards to Home Secretary Theresa May in the autumn.

Mr Porter warned of the misuse of CCTV in some areas in a speech earlier this week.

He told the CCTV User Group conference: "I've seen councils in large towns like Blackpool and Derby stop monitoring their systems 24-7.

"My understanding is that this is not as the result of a review or public consultation but simply to save money.

"And as austerity measures continue to bite on public space CCTV will we see a deterioration of standards and training?"

Mr Porter went on to add: "I am sure that most town centre public space CCTV is in line with the code or fairly close.

"But I recently asked a large city centre council to do a survey of all public space surveillance cameras within it.

"What has come back is quite shocking but not unexpected."

Mr Porter said it was found that cameras were being used by other departments, including traffic, waste management and housing services.

Privacy assessments were also not being routinely carried out, the survey found.

A Government spokesman said: "Public safety is paramount and the majority of local authorities have continued to balance their budgets and increased or maintained public satisfaction with services.

"Crime has fallen by more than a quarter since 2010, according to the independent Crime Survey for England and Wales.

"This means citizens and communities are safer than at any point since the survey began in 1981.

"Decisions on CCTV provision should be a local decision by elected local councillors, reflecting local circumstances and the views of local residents - especially in relation to any concerns about crime."