A new independent advisory body is set to launch next week to help support the understanding of CCTV compliance with current policy and legislation.
Called CameraWatch, the organisation is a not-for-profit, self-funding advisory body and potential members include CCTV installers, manufacturers, suppliers, as well as end users, legal bodies and local authorities.
The organisation has the support of the industry regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office. CameraWatch is currently funded by industry sponsorship and potentially by membership fees in the future.
Camerawatch will be launched on Wednesday 30th May at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh with recently appointed justice minister Kenny MacAskill in attendance.
CameraWatch founding chairman, Gordon Ferrie says, \"Research shows that up to 90% of CCTV installations fail to comply with the Information Commissioner\'s UK CCTV Code of Practice and many installations are operated illegally. That has profound implications for the reputation of the CCTV and camera surveillance industry and all concerned with it. It‚s clear there is a need for an organisation dedicated to promoting the legal and effective use of CCTV.\"
He adds: \"I’m not surprised there’s confusion. It’s a complex area not just covering appropriate siting and signage issues, but also various pieces of legislation. In particular, the Data Protection Act covers images of people and requires they are held securely if the data is to be used as legal and admissible evidence. Storing images of people is also impacted by the EU Human Rights Act. As things stand today, clever legal counsel could drive a horse and cart through most CCTV evidence and that is not in anybody’s best interests.\"