The use of overt surveillance camera systems in public places by local authorities in England and Wales and the Home Secretary’s Surveillance Camera Code of Practice
The Home Office Biometric and Surveillance Camera Commissioners (BSCC) office has recently sent us the Local Authority CCTV Survey for 2022.
This survey seeks to identify the nature of the surveillance camera systems which your organisation operates within the scope of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (PoFA) and whether you comply with the provisions of Section 33 of PoFA.
This survey only relates to the operation of overt surveillance camera systems which are deployed in public places in England and Wales. It does not relate to covert surveillance activity which is separately regulated under the provisions of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).
You should complete each section of the survey with the information requested.
The following information is provided from the Home Secretary’s Surveillance Camera Code of Practice to assist:
The Surveillance Camera Code of Practice (the Code) relates to overt surveillance camera systems which are deployed in public spaces in England and Wales. Section 33(5) of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (PoFA) provides that any local authority within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1972 is a relevant authority for the purposes of compliance with the provisions of the Code.
“Overt surveillance” means any use of surveillance for which authority does not fall under the provisions of Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.
“Public place” has the meaning given by Section 16(b) of the Public Order Act 1986 and is taken to include any highway and any place to which at the material time the public or any section of the public has access, on payment or otherwise, as of right or by virtue of express or implied permission.
“Surveillance camera systems” has the meaning given by Section 29(6) of the 2012 Act and is taken to include: (a) closed circuit television (CCTV) or automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems; (b) any other systems for recording or viewing visual images for surveillance purposes; (c) any systems for storing, receiving, transmitting, processing or checking the images or information obtained by (a) or (b); (d) any other systems associated with, or otherwise connected with (a), (b) or (c).
If you or your organisation haven't already received this document, you can download the template below.