Public eye on private space
Published: 01 September, 2010
With new civil liberties concerns being raised about the use of CCTV, how can centre owners ensure their systems comply with best practice?
The ‘big brother’ CCTV debate spiralled last month after more than 200 cameras installed in the Birmingham suburbs of Sparkbrook and Washwood Heath were found to be counter-terrorism devices, forcing West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council to issue a statement conceding that the £3m project had “undermined public confidence”.
The incident sparked anger among local communities and instigated widespread debate between human rights groups and the authorities, fuelling public fear of surveillance and causing end-user organisations to think twice about installing or upgrading CCTV. So, as the public becomes more and more suspicious of surveillance cameras, what can be done to keep the peace while maximising security?
Paul Mackie is compliance director at CameraWatch, a not-for-profit advisory body that supports CCTV users’ understanding and compliance with current policy and legislation. He explains why it is so important to consider public reaction to CCTV - integral to the smooth running of the surveillance machine in a society where CCTV cameras are widely used but controversial at the same time.
“The first thing towards making sure CCTV is seen in a positive light is by ensuring that it is operating legally,” he says. “Flaunting the law could make people lose all confidence in surveillance and cause severe damage.
“We believe that CCTV is a terrific tool if used properly but CameraWatch has found that over 90 per cent of CCTV systems are breaking the law and people need to wake up and realise that it’s a big issue. The information commissioner now has the power to fine organisations up to £500,000 if there is any misuse of data and that’s not to be sniffed at.”
TOP TIPS
Iain Cameron, managing director of surveillance equipment providers Mirasys UK pinpoints top tips to ensure CCTV is operating correctly and public confidence is won over.
His first tip is to make sure cameras are put in for what they are intended for. This is key to ensuring that the Data Protection Act (DPA) is adhered to and that there is not an infringement of privacy. Another is to make sure the public is aware of why the cameras are there - the easiest way to do this is by putting up prominently placed signs that outline what the cameras are being used for and provide contact details of the company or authority responsible.
As CameraWatch’s Mackie says: “By law people should have seen a sign stating that CCTV is in use before they actually appear on a camera. Once someone has seen a sign they are effectively giving their permission to be recorded.
“This can be a problem at some shopping centres where CCTV is operating in the car parks but people don’t see any signs until they go inside.”
Another major consideration is how the data is protected and stored. As Iain Cameron highlights, one effective way to do this would be to have a central office off-site where all data is sent and stored, removing the need for complex IT infrastructure needed to keep information on-site. It would also mean that information could only be accessed if there has been an incident and police could go straight to the central office to request data rather than disturbing the running of the centre. Several shopping centres might use a single well-respected company to store their data and regulations could be more easily applied to make sure that data is protected.
Another thing is to make sure people understand why the CCTV is being used. The ‘wider values’ of CCTV mean that cameras can be used not only to detect crime but as measuring devices to discern footfall, flows and hotspots and monitor specific promotions or staff performance. They can also spot health and safety issues, provide examples for training or help to deal with insurance claims. The public may not be aware that surveillance cameras have such uses or that so-called ‘privacy friendly’ cameras, which only record events that are likely to cause concern, such as movement into a defined area, exist.
And Iain Cameron comments: “There is a blanket fear of CCTV but we need to get away from that so people see the great benefits instead. CCTV has been used to solve so many important crimes but they can also be used to monitor shopping behaviour for marketing purposes and it’s important that these benefits aren’t lost.”
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES
The technology associated with CCTV is developing rapidly. As well as cameras that count how many people walk in and out of a shop, there are also cameras that can automatically identify packages, change fire safety procedure according to the level of traffic or even focus on a specific bit of equipment to detect malfunction. Others have 360 degree or high definition capabilities and some have facial recognition or can blur faces if identity is not required.
One such ‘intelligent’ device is the new SNP-3370 dome camera, part of the Samsung iPOLiS range, which has a powerful 37x zoom, motion detection technology and the ability to neutralise excessively bright or low light conditions. It could also save up to 70 per cent hard disk space on a digital video recorder.
Peter Stanton, ADT’s CCTV specialist, describes high definition and IP cameras as a key area. “You see ropey looking CCTV images on Crimewatch but images from HD cameras can be used as evidence in court because they produce much clearer images so you are more likely to be able to identify people,” he says.
Steve Smith, managing director of Link CCTV, agrees: “IP is really the next generation of CCTV. We were doing a live trial of an IP system in a shopping centre recently and a woman fell over. From the initial footage it looked like she had just tripped but on closer inspection, the detailed picture showed that she had slipped on a spillage on the floor.”
There are also number plate recognition cameras in car parks, which apart from deterring criminals or looking out for car parking violations, can also be used to improve customer service. Peter Stanton has seen such a camera being used at a shopping centre in Dublin to identify customers with disabilities or special needs so that staff could be on hand in case they needed assistance.
Iain Cameron comments: “These are intelligent cameras on the cutting edge of technology. The ideas have been around for a few years but now the quality has improved so it’s actually feasible to have them installed.”
But Paul Mackie warns that such technology counts for nothing unless it is compliant. “Technology has moved on terrifically fast but people aren’t taking into account the legal issues,” he said. “Often people take the attitude ‘we’ll wait until something happens and deal with it then’ but it’s a big risk.
“You might have a state of the art security and CCTV system but if somebody takes legal action, the insurance could refuse to pay out if it came to light that the CCTV wasn’t compliant. That discounted rate you might get because of all the security you have in place could be void and the insurance company could refuse to cover you.”
LAW AND ASSESMENT
Outlining how surveillance systems should be used in shopping centres is somewhat of a grey area because current policy focuses on public areas, and not areas which are privately owned like shopping centres. Paul Mackie recommends that managers who are unsure of where they stand with regard to surveillance operation should have an annual CCTV assessment. CameraWatch has recently started its own assessment scheme which is approved by the SIA’s Approved Contractor Scheme.
He says: “We’ve spoken to managers who say they’ve been looking for an independent report. That way they’ll have a piece of paper they can check and they might say ‘well I’ve been worried about that for ages, I wasn’t sure it was right but now I know it’s compliant.’”
THE FUTURE
The new government could also help make legislation more clear cut in the future. In his election campaign David Cameron highlighted his plans to control what he called the “surveillance state” but as yet no proposals have been announced. As Paul Mackie, explains: “The thing is, the new government isn’t going to scrap CCTV or cut back on it but it is likely to put proper regulations in place so that the industry can regulate itself with help from the information commissioner. We see this as a hugely positive thing.”
ADT sits on the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) CCTV Technical Committee. The BSIA are a trade body for the security industry in the UK. The chair of the CCTV Technical Committee, will, in due course be meeting with James Brokenshire - the newly appointed under Secretary of State - to discuss how the current CCTV regulations can be developed.
Steve Smith and the National CCTV Users Group are working on a national scheme for registering CCTV systems. “We’ve done surveys and people want a simple online registering scheme,” he says. “We’re waiting for direction from the new government but we hope the scheme will be in place mid to late 2011.”
When it comes to the best practices in CCTV operation, Iain Cameron stressed the importance of following the guidelines and taking into account data protection laws. He also advises managers to make sure they choose the appropriate equipment. “Price considerations mean that a lot of CCTV is not up to scratch,” he said. “The images are poor quality and the data may not be accurate, so it’s important to use forward thinking and implement the right technology.”
GUIDELINES
The British Council of Shopping Centres (BCSC) has issued the ‘CCTV User Guide for Shopping Environments’, designed to educate and assist those retail centre managers looking to purchase new CCTV systems or upgrade existing installations. It can be found on the BCSC website: www.bcsc.org.uk
