Home Office: consultation on new Code of Practice for CCTV and ANPR

Members of the public and operators of CCTV and ANPR systems can have their say on a range of proposals to make use of the technology “more proportionate and effective”.

This consultation represents the first step towards establishing a formal Code of Practice, as promised in the Government’s recently issued Protection of Freedoms Bill.

The proposals include:

• establishing a checklist of actions to be carried out by CCTV operators before installing new cameras to check whether they are absolutely necessary
• developing industry standards for equipment to ensure it’s reliable, effective and gathers images of sufficient quality and that are in a useable format
• improving public knowledge about systems in communities through consultation by police and local authorities and better public information
• considering whether further guidance is needed on how long data collected by CCTV and ANPR should be retained

View from the Home Office

Speaking about the consultation, crime prevention minister James Brokenshire said: “CCTV and ANPR systems play a vital role in the prevention and detection of crime. However, it’s important they’re used in a way that does not invade law-abiding people’s privacy or undermine the public’s confidence in them.”

The minister continued: “That’s why we’re establishing this Code, and that’s why we are asking members of the public what they think should be in it. Alongside this, we will appoint a new Commissioner to monitor the Code and ensure it’s effective.”

The Code would be introduced on an incremental basis, with local authorities and police services required to have due regard to it straightaway.

In due course, the Government will consider whether the Code should be extended to other organisations (such as businesses and private security firms).

The consultation timeline

The consultation period will run for 12 weeks. For further information, go to the website (a link is provided on the right hand panel of this page)

As reported on SMT Online, the Protection of Freedoms Bill was introduced into the House of Commons on 11 February this year. For more information visit the website (again, a link has been provided opposite)

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