The National CCTV Strategy

Overview

The number of parties that have a vested interest in CCTV is extensive; from the police, Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships to government departments and agencies, transport, industry, the CJS, the Information Commissioner, local government and private individuals. The promotion of engagement between these groups is desirable and essential to improving the effective use of CCTV and to prevent duplication of work.

Following the review of CCTV, we established an overarching Programme Board consisting of key stakeholders, which is responsible for the co-ordination, prioritisation, and development of the recommendations and to establish the future strategic direction of CCTV. It ensures the cooperation and agreement that is vital if the Strategy is to be implemented successfully.

The following agencies have a seat on the National CCTV Strategy Board:

Information Commissioners Office (ICO)

The Information Commissioner's Office is the UK's independent authority set up to promote access to official information and to protect personal information. CCTV images of people are covered by the Data Protection Act which is regulated by the ICO. They have a seat on the Board as Observers.

http://www.ico.gov.uk/

Ministry of Justice (MoJ)

The Ministry of Justice is responsible for the courts, prisons, probation, criminal law and sentencing. They lead the government's constitutional, rights and legal reform programmes, which include work on institutional reform, data protection and sharing, electoral modernisation, human rights, devolution and encouraging people to take an active part in the democratic process.

http://www.justice.gov.uk/

British Security Industry Association (BSIA)

The BSIA is the trade association for the professional security industry in the UK. Its members provide over 70% of UK security products and services and adhere to strict quality standards.

http://www.bsia.co.uk/

National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA)

The NPIA provides a large and diverse portfolio of products and services designed to support the police service and wider policing family. The NPIA have provided the programme management resources to aid the implementation of the 44 recommendations that came out of the National CCTV Strategy.

http://www.npia.police.uk/

Home Office Scientific development Branch (HOSDB)

The Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) supports the Home Office's work to protect the public using advances in science and technology. They provide a range of publications to help in CCTV, including:
• guidance on recruiting, selecting and training operators
• the best layout for control rooms
• advice on performance standards
• how to retrieve videos from CCTV systems

http://scienceandresearch.homeoffice.gov.uk/hosdb/

Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)

ACPO is an independent, professionally led strategic body. In 2005 a report was submitted by the ACPO lead on CCTV to the Home Office recommending that there was now an urgent need for the development of a national strategy that would ensure the effective development of the public space CCTV infrastructure. The National CCTV Strategy is the culmination of work undertaken by a small joint ACPO/Home Office project team, supported by a wide range of stakeholders involved in the use and management of CCTV.

http://www.acpo.police.uk/default.asp

Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)

The Crown Prosecution Service is responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales. There are an increasing number of cases where CCTV is an integral part of the prosecution's case.

http://www.cps.gov.uk/

British Transport Police (BTP)

The BTP is the national Police Force for the railways providing a policing service to rail operators, their staff and passengers throughout England, Scotland and Wales. CCTV plays an increasingly important role in police operations and is an important tool in controlling public space. BTP has crime reduction officers who advise railway businesses on whether CCTV is appropriate to their needs, as well as all aspects of design, installation and management of CCTV.

http://www.btp.police.uk/

Security Industry Authority (SIA)

The SIA manage the licensing of the private security industry, including CCTV operators, as set out in the Private Security Industry Act 2001. They aim to raise standards of professionalism and skills within the private security industry and to promote and spread best practice.

http://www.the-sia.org.uk/home

Local Government Association (LGA)

The LGA is a voluntary lobbying organisation, acting as the voice of the local government sector, and an authoritative and effective advocate on its behalf. The majority of publicly funded CCTV systems are owned and run by Local Authorities and as such they have a substantial interest in CCTV policy and best practice.

http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/core/page.do?pageId=1

Department for Transport (DfT)

The Department for Transport's aim is transport that works for everyone. They are working in partnership with transport operators, BTP, Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships and in local communities to reduce crime and disorder on public transport and CCTV plays' an important role in preventing, detecting and prosecuting crime on the transport links.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/

Her Majesties Courts Service (HMCS)

HMCS is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Their remit is to deliver justice effectively and efficiently to the public. They are responsible for managing the magistrates' courts, the Crown Court, county courts, the High Court and Court of Appeal in England and Wales. It is important that CCTV product can be viewed effectively in court to avoid cases being dismissed.

http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/

Office of Surveillance Commissioner (OSC)

The OSC's aim is to provide effective and efficient oversight of the conduct of covert surveillance and covert human intelligence sources by public authorities in accordance with:

Part III of the 1997 Act

Parts II and III of RIPA

RIP(S)A.

http://www.surveillancecommissioners.gov.uk/index.html