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22/10/2007
CCTV Failing To Catch Criminals
Eight images out of ten supplied to the police from closed-circuit
television do not help to identify criminals, according to a Home Office
report.
The report also says that the majority of cameras are not placed where they
can help to detect or prevent serious crimes or terrorist attacks.
Some cameras are now being positioned to catch motorists in bus lanes and
record vehicle numberplates. And many cameras in public places such as
shopping centres and pubs and clubs are designed to "monitor crowds, slips,
trips and falls" rather than criminal behaviour.
The report said that the use of CCTV cameras to generate income by
monitoring traffic could lead to their being used less for crime prevention
and catching criminals.
The National CCTV Strategy report outlined failings in the use of CCTV but
recommended a huge extension in surveillance by allowing police almost
automatic access to cameras run by councils, shopping centres and even small
retail premises.
The report by the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers
said: "Anecdotal evidence suggests that over 80 per cent of the CCTV footage
supplied to the police is far from ideal, especially if it is being used for
primary identification or [where] identities are unknown and identification
is being sought."
It added: "In some cases the cameras' initial purpose has been changed or
they are required to perform a number of additional and conflicting tasks."
Although the report highlighted the crucial role of CCTV in investigating
terrorist incidents, it said: "The majority of cameras have not been placed
in positions which may be required for the prevention and detection of
serious and organised crime and counter-terrorism." The authorities should
consider placing cameras to cover high-risk targets such as key economic
sites, the report added.
The report said that the huge proliferation of CCTV cameras was presenting
the police with serious problems - in particular their capacity to recover
evidence and review tapes.
Many police forces had failed to develop the capacity to retrieve digitally
recorded CCTV footage, resulting in evidence being lost, the report said.
And since the introduction of digitally recorded CCTV, the owners of some
systems were storing the recording for only 14 days rather than 28 to 31
days.
The study also called for a new body to be set up to oversee CCTV schemes
and ensure there was a balance between cameras deployed for crime-fighting
and other uses. There should be a review of the location and purpose of all
CCTV cameras, it said.
(BMcC)
television do not help to identify criminals, according to a Home Office
report.
The report also says that the majority of cameras are not placed where they
can help to detect or prevent serious crimes or terrorist attacks.
Some cameras are now being positioned to catch motorists in bus lanes and
record vehicle numberplates. And many cameras in public places such as
shopping centres and pubs and clubs are designed to "monitor crowds, slips,
trips and falls" rather than criminal behaviour.
The report said that the use of CCTV cameras to generate income by
monitoring traffic could lead to their being used less for crime prevention
and catching criminals.
The National CCTV Strategy report outlined failings in the use of CCTV but
recommended a huge extension in surveillance by allowing police almost
automatic access to cameras run by councils, shopping centres and even small
retail premises.
The report by the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers
said: "Anecdotal evidence suggests that over 80 per cent of the CCTV footage
supplied to the police is far from ideal, especially if it is being used for
primary identification or [where] identities are unknown and identification
is being sought."
It added: "In some cases the cameras' initial purpose has been changed or
they are required to perform a number of additional and conflicting tasks."
Although the report highlighted the crucial role of CCTV in investigating
terrorist incidents, it said: "The majority of cameras have not been placed
in positions which may be required for the prevention and detection of
serious and organised crime and counter-terrorism." The authorities should
consider placing cameras to cover high-risk targets such as key economic
sites, the report added.
The report said that the huge proliferation of CCTV cameras was presenting
the police with serious problems - in particular their capacity to recover
evidence and review tapes.
Many police forces had failed to develop the capacity to retrieve digitally
recorded CCTV footage, resulting in evidence being lost, the report said.
And since the introduction of digitally recorded CCTV, the owners of some
systems were storing the recording for only 14 days rather than 28 to 31
days.
The study also called for a new body to be set up to oversee CCTV schemes
and ensure there was a balance between cameras deployed for crime-fighting
and other uses. There should be a review of the location and purpose of all
CCTV cameras, it said.
(BMcC)
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