Business CCTV

Fife Constabulary is committed to the prevention and detection of crime and considers all measures that have the potential to assist in this commitment.

The provision and use of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems within business premises can be one possible solution to crime reduction although it should be considered as the last line of defence. Issues such as building design, internal layouts, lighting and security practices and procedures are equally important and are likely to be less costly considerations.

The provision and use of CCTV fits well within the overall framework of crime management and can meet public expectations of safety and security.  Consequently, Fife Constabulary welcomes the introduction and use of correctly specified and installed CCTV systems in appropriate circumstances.

When consideration is being given to the introduction of a CCTV system that will monitor the areas within or around business premises, then the Force CCTV Liaison Officer would seek to be informed of the proposal, its aims and ultimately how it is proposed to assist in crime reduction. Once installed, the Force CCTV Liaison Officer would offer consultation and advice on matters associated with the system.

DETERMINING THE NEED FOR CCTV

It is essential that a detailed survey of the business premises is undertaken to identify the key factors affecting the opportunity for crime or anti-social activity.

At this stage it is important to consider all available measures that could have a positive effect on the level of crime and anti-social activity and in doing so increase the feel-safe factor for the customers and staff in the premises. It may be that other less expensive crime prevention measures could be just as effective, depending on the circumstances.

It is also true to say that CCTV can only be effective if it is used in conjunction with other crime prevention measures. CCTV systems are only as good as the reaction or response to what is seen on the screen at the time or in post incident reviewing.

ESTABLISHING A SYSTEM

The development of an Operational Requirement Statement is essential; this document is unique to each system and will be used by the contractor for the design, performance specification and functionality of the system.

The Operational Requirement is a statement of problems, not solutions, and highlights the areas to be covered by the system and the times and description of the activities giving cause for concern. The contractor will then be required to design and install a system that addresses the problems as best as possible.

At this stage it is also very important to decide what standard of image is required. This is very much dictated by the use the system will be put to, whether it is intended to monitor, detect, recognise or identify persons. Identification for court purposes will be a head and shoulders image of a person on screen.

LEGAL ISSUES

Under the Data Protection legislation (Data Protection Act 1998) CCTV installations may require to be registered with the Information Commissioner, formerly the Data Protection Registrar.

The Information Commissioner has provided guidelines as a Code of Practice that are available on the Commissioners Website at http://www.ico.gov.uk/  

CODE OF PRACTICE

A Code of Practice should be developed for use within the premises with CCTV, stating clearly the purpose of the system, taking full account of an individual’s right to privacy. Important issues such as the intended use of the CCTV System, the type, size and location of signage, the designated person who controls the Data gathered by the system, who has access to monitoring equipment and the recorded images, storage of video recordings, data management, who can or is required to create copy data for Police, what is the retention period, destruction of stored data and release of information must be included in this document.

Where a digital system is installed, ideally provision should be made to allow downloading of images to normal videotape as well as data CD or DVD that can be used for evidential purposes at Court. The disc must contain the relevant video data and a proprietary viewer attachment in order for the data to be viewed.

For further information contact the Force CCTV Liaison Officer on 0845 600 5702 or by e-mail at community.safety@fife.pnn.police.uk