CCTV code of practice

 

Operational Objectives

  • To reduce real and perceived crime levels
  • To assist in the apprehension and prosecution of offenders in relation to crime and public disorder.
  • To gather evidence by a fair and accountable method.
  • To create a safer community, improving the quality of life
  • Preventing or alleviating interruption to traffic flow
  • Information and recordings will only be used by the District Council, Kent Police and other Statutory law enforcement agencies.

 

Material will not be released to anyone other than in accordance with this code of practice  and / or the law concerning the disclosure of evidence in criminal and civil proceedings.

 

Fair and Lawful

This CCTV Scheme will be operated fairly within applicable law, and only for the purposes for which it was established, or subsequently agreed in accordance with this Code.

 

Privacy of Individuals

The CCTV Scheme is intended to view and monitor activity in the public spaces within the area of coverage.  Safeguards are installed in the system to allow cameras only to pan past, and not be focused on homes and other private areas where there is no public access (e.g. living accommodation at the rear of or above shops).  Control Centre Staff will be required by the CCTV Manager or Auditor to justify their decision to view or record any particular individual, group of people or property.

 

Direct Covert Surveillance will only be undertaken in line with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and when CCTV Manager is in possession of written confirmation of an authorisation signed by authorised officer of the Police or Thanet District Council.

 

Effectiveness

Every effort has been made in the planning and design of the CCTV System to provide maximum effectiveness within the current area of coverage.  It is not possible to guarantee that the CCTV System will see or provide evidence of every incident, which takes place within that area.  There is no liability placed on the Control Centre Staff in detecting all offences, which occur within the areas covered by the CCTV system.

 

Public Confidence

Public confidence is based upon effectively operating cameras.  Dummy cameras will not be used within this Scheme. Data Subject Access Requests will be handled promptly and effectively.

 

Subject to certain exemptions, individuals have a right to view recordings of themselves and ask for a copy of that information under the Data Protection Act 1998.  To make a request please provide the date, exact time (accurate to within 15 minutes) and location of when your image may have been recorded by the CCTV system, in writing to the below address. 

 

CCTV Manager

Thanet District Council

PO Box 9

Cecil Street

Margate

Kent

CT9 1XZ

 

Alternatively please call 01843 577658 for more information.