Police ‘need guidance’ on surveillance use

“I’ve got a great deal of sympathy for anybody who feels their private space is being invaded by the use of a CCTV camera employed by a neighbour.”

There is a “very real risk” that members of the public are having their privacy impacted upon by the network of roadside surveillance in the UK, the Government’s new Surveillance Camera Commissioner has warned.

Tony Porter said it was “crucial” that police officers be given clear guidance on using roadside automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, which line Britain’s streets.

He said: “If systems aren’t adhered to innocent members of the public could be put at risk of having their privacy impacted upon.

“There are other concerns, such as the large data-grab of information and the period of retention of that information.

“I think there has to be very clear guidance to officers about the way ANPR is used and, once it has been used, ensuring that data is removed or at least updated. I think that’s crucial.”

The former North West Counter Terrorism Unit commander, who was named as the new Surveillance Camera Commissioner in February, also spoke of the growing number of people who set up surveillance equipment outside their homes, which is not regulated.

Electrical stores sell home-use cameras for less than £50 that promise high-quality images, a 20-metre range, and images stored directly on a recorder.

Planning permission is not needed, and a new code to regulate the use of cameras by police and local authorities does not apply to homeowners.

The affordability of the camera technology and the inability of authorities to take action have led to long-running disputes between neighbours, in some cases with cameras lined up along their boundaries

“I’ve got a great deal of sympathy for anybody who feels their private space is being invaded by the use of a CCTV camera employed by a neighbour,” he continued.

Emma Carr, of Big Brother Watch, said: “If we are going to bring proper accountability to CCTV and ANPR, the Commissioner needs proper powers.

“Without them his words, however sensible, will continue to fall on deaf ears.”