CCTV isn't the answer, says campaign group

CCTV Camera

New research has shown that the number of CCTV cameras controlled by local councils has tripled nationally in the last 10 years from 21,000 to 60,000.

The research conducted by Big Brother Watch, a new campaign fighting intrusions on privacy and protecting liberties, shows Rochdale has 170 CCTV cameras, which works out at 0.8 per 1,000 people for its 205,357 strong population.

Campaigners have complained that local councils are becoming more invasive but increasing CCTV is not stopping or solving crime.

Portsmouth and Nottinghamshire Councils are in control of the most CCTV cameras with 1,454 each. Residents in the Outer Hebrides are the most watched people in the UK with 8.3 council controlled CCTV cameras for every 1,000 people.

Alex Deane, director of Big Brother Watch, said: “Local councils across Britain are creating enormous networks of CCTV surveillance at great expense, but the evidence for the ability of CCTV to deter or solve crimes is sketchy at best.

“The quality of footage is frequently too poor to be used in courts, the cameras are often turned off to save money and control rooms are rarely manned 24-hours-a-day.

“With crime on the increase, it is understandable that some people want more CCTV, but we would all feel safer with more police on the beat, there would be fewer crimes and those crimes that do occur would be solved faster.”

Councillor Ted Flynn, Council cabinet member for Community Safety and Leisure, said: “CCTV cameras can be particularly useful on Friday and Saturday night to see what is happening within the night time economy.

“The CCTV cameras are well manned but we don’t always get a lot of data from them. They can give public reassurance but the response can be poor.”

Councillor Jonathon Burns said: “I believe CCTV cameras used as a tool alongside traditional police on the beat are valuable for actual community safety as well as helping to reduce the fear of crime.

“As the [Big Brother Watch] spokesperson suggests there are large costs involved in live surveillance, yet there are other options available which may provide greater value for money."

Councillor Burns added: “Both Middleton and Heywood Townships have purchased Mobile CCTV cameras which can record digital footage that can be accessed by the Police, PCSO’s and Community Safety Officers; this footage is of good enough quality to be used in court. These cameras have been funded from the township devolved funds as additional resources to that provided by the Police.

“Rather than being fixed in one place the cameras can be moved to hotspot areas identify by the Police and local residents, these cameras are proving particularly useful in resolving issues of anti-social behaviour, youth nuisance, and other criminal activity.”