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* Please note that CCTV in carparks can not be used as evidence for accidents *
In 1995 Stratford-on-Avon District Council embarked upon a policy of installing CCTV cameras in the major population centres within the District. The intention was, that in partnership with Warwickshire Police, the cameras would:
The funds for the cameras and the associated control and command equipment were made available by Stratford-on-Avon District Council combined with substantial grant aid from The Home Office as part of Central Government's Crime Reduction Programme.
Progress with CCTV
This process began in Stratford-upon-Avon. There are cameras covering the main shopping streets, car parks and known problem areas. The Stratford scheme proved to be a tremendously valuable resource in the battle against crime and, encouraged by this success, CCTV coverage was extended to Studley and then to Alcester. The results from all towns were very encouraging and led Stratford-on-Avon District Council to extend CCTV coverage to Shipston-on-Stour, Southam and Bidford and to extend the coverage in Stratford-upon-Avon. In 2005, in conjunction with Warwickshire Police, Stratford-upon-Avon District Council installed ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) software. In 2006 the scheme was again expanded in Stratford-upon-Avon, to key sites in Wellesbourne, as well as taking on the monitoring of the CCTV cameras at the Warwickshire County Council Park and Ride site in Stratford. In 2008 Stratford-upon-Avon District Council invested a significant sum of money to upgrade the existing VHS tape system to a state of the art digital recording system, allowing for simpler use and near instant playback of footage.
The Future of CCTV in our District
The next planned development is the installation of CCTV cameras at key locations within Henley-in-Arden, as well as further expansion within areas already covered.
Who Watches CCTV and CCTV Information
The monitoring of all cameras, 24 hours per day 7 days per week, is carried out from one location, the Stratford-on-Avon District Council CCTV Control Room. Images are transmitted to the control room via fibre optic cabling thus guaranteeing high quality pictures that are admissible in court as evidence. All staff work a rotating shift pattern ensuring optimum cover at peak times. CCTV staff have a direct radio link with Stratford retailers and pubs, the Warwickshire Police force control room, as well as officers on the ground. Warwickshire Police control room staff also have access to a monitor showing live feed images within their facility which, coupled with the radio contact, enables effective and rapid deployment of Police resources. Footage of incidents is routinely made available to the Police for use in the investigation of reported crimes, missing persons or suspect activity, and is used to assist in the prosecution of offenders in the courts.
Below are figures showing the number of incidents monitored by CCTV, and the number of arrests made by officers after CCTV staff had monitored an incident.
|
PERIOD |
TOTAL INCIDENTS MONITORED |
NUMBER OF TIMES POLICE ATTENDED CCTV MONITORED INCIDENTS |
NUMBER OF ARRESTS |
|
April 2006 - March 2007 |
21385 |
603 |
460 |
|
April 2007 - March 2008 |
18278 |
464 |
417 |
|
April 2008 - March 2009 |
18837 |
313 |
282 |
Who Watches the CCTV Watchers
CCTV staff are monitored by Warwickshire Police for correct use of the equipment, as well as being fully licensed and regulated by the SIA (Security Industry Authority). Stratford-upon-Avon District Council were one of the first in the country to be awarded the British Standard Award (BS 7958) for the operation and management of CCTV, of which only a handful of control rooms have gained this award. However, understanding that many members of the public are concerned about the 'Big Brother is watching you' issues relating to surveillance Stratford on Avon District Council adopted a rigorous set of rules to govern its procedures. These are known as The Code of Practice. Within this you will find reference to The Data Protection Act, The Human Rights Act, The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act and Freedom of Information Act. These are there to reassure members of the public that their privacy will be respected (unless they commit a crime). All CCTV cameras have safeguards to put in place to prevent them looking into areas that they shouldn't, such as windows and conservatories.
You will find useful information and contact details for the various regulatory bodies that oversee the operation of CCTV in the Code of Practice. For Subject Access request forms (which need to be completed before any footage is made available for viewing to members of the public), please see 'Appendix A' within the Code of Practice.
For further information please contact Parking Services on 01789 267575 or by email at parking@stratford-dc.gov.uk
Downloads:
CCTV Code of Practice (236KB PDF)
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