CCTV Policy
(JANUARY 2022)
1 Introduction
1.1 This policy is to control the management, operation, use and confidentiality of the CCTV system in Friskney, owned and managed by Friskney Parish Council.
1.2 It has been prepared taking due account of the Code of Practice published by the Data Protection Commissioner (July 2000).
1.3 This policy will be subject to periodic review by the Parish Council to ensure that it continues to reflect the public interest and that the system meets legislative requirements.
2 Objectives
(a) To protect the buildings and assets.
(b) To increase personal safety and reduce the fear of crime.
(c) To support the Police in a bid to deter and detect crime.
(d) To assist in identifying, apprehending and prosecuting offenders.
(e) To protect members of the public and private property.
3 Statement of Intent
3.1 The CCTV system will seek to comply with the requirements both of the Data Protection Act and the Commissioner's Code of Practice.
3.2 The Parish Council will treat the system and all information, documents and recordings obtained and used, as data which is protected by the Act.
3.3 Cameras will be used to monitor activities within selected public areas in Friskney to identify criminal activity occurring, anticipated, or perceived, and for the purpose of securing the safety and well-being of the residents and visitors.
3.4. Staff, contractors and Parish Councillors have been instructed that static cameras are not to focus on private homes, gardens and other areas of private property.
3.5 Unless an immediate response to events is required, cameras must not be directed at an individual, their property or a specific group of individuals, without an authorisation being obtained as set out in the Regulation of Investigatory Power Act 2000.
3.6 Materials or knowledge secured as a result of CCTV will not be used for any commercial purpose. Recordings will only be released to the media for use in the investigation of a specific crime and with the written authority of the Police. Recordings will never be released to the media for purposes of entertainment.
3.7 The planning and design has endeavoured to ensure that the CCTV system will give maximum effectiveness and efficiency but it is not possible to guarantee that it will cover or detect every single incident taking place in the areas of coverage.
3.8 Warning signs, as required by the Code of Practice of the Information Commissioner have been placed at all access routes to areas covered by the CCTV.
4 System Operation
4.1 The CCTV system will be administered and managed by the Parish Council, in accordance with the principles and objectives expressed in the code.
4.2 The day-to-day management will be the responsibility of the Chair of the Parish Council and designated Parish Councillors.
4.3 The CCTV system will be operated 24 hours each day, every day of the year.
5 Control
5.1 The Parish Council will routinely check and confirm the efficiency of the system and that the equipment is properly recording and that cameras are functional.
5.3 If out of hours emergency maintenance arises, the Chair of the Parish Council must be satisfied of the identity and purpose of contractors before allowing access to the CCTV system.
6 Monitoring Procedures
6.1 Camera surveillance may only be undertaken by authorised individuals.
6.2. A monitor is installed in the Village Hall to which pictures will be continuously recorded.
7 Recording Procedures
7.1 Recordings may be viewed by the Police for the prevention and detection of crime, authorised individuals of Friskney Parish Council for supervisory purposes, authorised demonstration and training.
7.2 Viewing of recordings by the Police should be approved by the Chair of the Parish Council. Requests by the Police can only be actioned under section 29 of the Data Protection Act 1998.
7.3 Should a recording be required as evidence, a copy may be released to the Police. Recordings will only be released to the Police on the clear understanding that the recording remains the property of the Parish Council, and both the recording and information contained on it are to be treated in accordance with this policy. The Parish Council also retains the right to refuse permission for the Police to pass to any other person the recording or any part of the information contained therein.
7.4 The Police may require the Parish Council to retain the recording for possible use as evidence in the future. Such recordings will be securely stored until they are needed by the Police.
7.5 Applications received from outside bodies (e.g. solicitors) to view or release recordings will be referred to the Chair of the Parish Council. In these circumstances’ recordings will normally be released where satisfactory documentary evidence is produced showing that they are required for legal proceedings, a subject access request, or in response to a Court Order. A fee can be charged in such circumstances: £10 for subject access requests; a sum not exceeding the cost of materials in other cases.
8 Breaches of the Policy
8.1 Any breach of this policy will initially be investigated by the Chair of the Parish Council to take appropriate action.
8.2 Any serious breach of this policy will be immediately investigated and an independent investigation carried out to make recommendations on how to remedy the breach.
9 Complaints
9.1 Any complaints about the Parish Council’s CCTV system should be addressed to the Parish Clerk.
10 Access by the Data Subject
10.1 The Data Protection Act provides Data Subjects (individuals to whom "personal data" relate) with a right to data held about themselves, including those obtained by CCTV.
10.2 Requests for Data Subject Access should be made on an application form available from the Parish Clerk.
11 Public Information
Copies of this policy are available from the Parish Clerk.