Resident Questions for Housing Area Panel
Reference Number: C3.1
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Department |
Housing |
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Date question raised |
24.10.2022 |
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Week of Area Panel |
12.12.2022 |
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Area in city |
Central |
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Star rating applied by residents |
3 |
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Deadline for officer response |
Wednesday 16th November 2022 |
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Name of officer responding |
James Pemberton |
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Officer job title |
Performance & Improvement Officer
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Title of Question |
Clarification about use of CCTV |
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Issue: |
CCTV has been installed in many places as a security measure and deterrent. Restrictions on access to CCTV footage has meant it is often not available as evidence when a problem occurs.
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Background: |
Fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour, drug deals and burglaries have all been caught on CCTV. Even when it is possible to provide a time frame, police have been unable to access the CCTV footage.
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Action requested by residents: |
Residents asked for a number of points to be clarified:
· when can CCTV footage be used, and by who? · why it is difficult for the police to access CCTV footage? · If access is so limited and usually denied, what is the point of CCTV? |
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Officer contact details: |
Justine.harris@brighton-hove.gov.uk |
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Officer Response: |
When can CCTV footage be used, and by who?
CCTV is used when there has been a report of anti-social behaviour on Housing land and where it is believed CCTV will aid investigation in the matter. The process the council follows is designed to protect both individual residents and property. Viewing and downloading of the material is done by trained Housing staff. In cases where the police believe a crime has been committed, they may request CCTV images from Housing.
We also have 6 CCTV which are used to detect fly tipping. These can be moved twice a year.
Why it is difficult for the police to access CCTV footage?
To detect and investigate crime the council cooperate fully with the police when they make a request to view CCTV. To ensure that we are complying with our legal obligation as data controller, this is authorised by a senior police officer. Whilst we cannot release the footage until we have authorisation, we prepare the footage for release once the request is received. The police have confirmed they have no concerns in relation to the council’s response to sharing CCTV footage.
CCTV footage is stored for a limited period (usually 28 days, occasionally longer) before it erases.
If access is so limited and usually denied, what is the point of CCTV?
Please see response to the first point.
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Action: |
None
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Start date: |
N/A
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End date: |
N/A
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