The following and many other aspects must be carefully considered and complied with prior to instalment or use of a CCTV system on domestic premises within this Force area.

1. Do the entry / exit points to the premises require to be covered by a fixed CCTV camera.?

2. Cameras must be installed out of reach to prevent unauthorised tampering.

3. There should be appropriate lighting at each camera to ensure that useful, useable images are obtained. Ideally white light sources are best.

4. All installed cameras should be recorded. If digital video recording (DVR) is used - a minimum 6 images per second setting. The recording device should also be set for the resolution rate at a minimum 2 CIF and compression to ‘low’.

5. The system must be audited and checked regularly to ensure consistent quality recording and that the time / date stamp is on and correct.

6. Images should be retained for not less than 7 days in order to ensure that effective downloads / copies can be made.

7. The download should be made to one or more of:-    Data DVD, Data CD, USB2 compatible pen or drive, or PAL compatible DVD (MPEG 2 or VOB files)

8. If the download is to a CD / DVD or pen drive, a Windows (XP, Vista etc) compatible playback software file (licence free) in the original recording format, must accompany the data.

9. A reviewing point should be available to enable visual playback from any of the cameras.

10. A suitable and appropriate maintenance contract should be in place for the system, which should include annual maintenance visits and a fault rectification timetable.