News & Facts
Some facts and figures about CCTV in the UK.
CCTV IN ACTION
Since its introduction in the 1970's, closed circuit television (CCTV) has played a significant role in assisting the police in the investigation of volume crime, serious crime and terrorist incidents such as those in London in July 2005 when the use of CCTV imagery led to the early identification of suspects and played an important role in the subsequent prosecutions.
It is accepted that CCTV alone cannot reduce or detect crime. But used proportionately, and in conjunction with other appropriate crime and disorder stakeholders, it can greatly assist in the detection of offenders.
Number of Cameras
There are no officially verified estimates on the amount of CCTV Cameras in the UK.
The most recent and widely quoted estimate suggests that there are over 4.2 million public facing CCTV cameras now in operation across the UK. However, this estimate should be treated with caution as it results from a survey of the number of CCTV cameras in two south London streets. The results were then multiplied to produce the estimate of CCTV cameras across the United Kingdom.
CCTV AROUND THE UK
Under the Crime Reduction Programme CCTV Initiative around £170 million was spent on 684 public CCTV schemes. This public space CCTV is owned, monitored and managed by individual local authorities using equipment procured at different times for a range of different purposes. The usage and effectiveness of CCTV systems therefore varies considerably across the country, compromising the impact it can make on local crime and disorder.
Round 1: 352 schemes worth £64m were approved.
CCTV Initiative Approved Round One Bids.pdf
Round 2: 332 schemes worth around £106m have been approved.
CCTV Initiative Approved Round Two Bids.pdf
The recommendations from the National CCTV Strategy will ensure that future technologies are integrated to assist policing.
CCTV In PubsThe ICO has received a number of enquiries from pub landlords on the issue of CCTV installation being made a condition for obtaining, or continuing, a licence to sell alcohol. The ICO view on CCTV in pubs and some frequently asked questions for licensees can be found below.
Standards and Operability Subgroup
Criminal Justice Service Subgroup
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