The following and many other aspects must be
carefully considered and complied with prior to instalment or use
of a CCTV system in business premises within this Force
area.
1. Are each of the entry / exit points to the
premises and external areas covered by appropriate (fixed or PTZ)
CCTV cameras.
2. Cameras must be installed out of reach to
prevent unauthorised tampering.
3. There should be appropriate lighting at each
camera location 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.
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 must
be available within the premises to enable visual playback from any
of the cameras. This must be in a secure area away from public
access.
10. Appropriate staff
training must be carried out to ensure that at least one member of
staff capable of operating and downloading from the system is
available during business hours.
11. All
staff must be made aware of the requirements of Data Protection and
Human Rights in relation to CCTV installed on the premises.
12. The system must comply with all aspects of
the Data Protection Act, details can be found on the Information
Commissioners website at http://www.ico.gov.uk/ or by
contacting the Police CCTV Liaison Officer.
13. A suitable and
appropriate maintenance contract / programme should be in place for
the system which should include annual maintenance visits and a
fault rectification timetable.
14. A system manual and code
of practice must be held on the premises for staff reference.
15. An incident log of all recorded
incidents and actions should be kept on the premises. This should
also contain details of recordings created, the incident and
details of the Police Officer the recordings were issued to, i.e.
Warrant Number / Shoulder Number, name, station etc.