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Home Office

Answer

Charlotte Atkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has issued to local authorities regarding CCTV cameras, with special reference to (a) who has access to the film, (b) for what purposes and in what circumstances the film may be used, (c) the monitoring procedure to ensure film is not mis-used and (d) introducing a complaints procedure for the mis-use of CCTV footage. [142311] Mr. Charles Clarke: We are advising crime and disorder reduction partnerships to adhere closely to the Data Protection Commissioner's code of practice for users of public space closed circuit television (CCTV) systems. The code outlines legally enforceable standards and makes good practice recommendations on compliance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998. It includes advice on subject access, disclosure of images, information security, monitoring procedures, and the requirement for a complaints procedure. A copy is available on the Commissioner's website: www.dataprotection.gov.uk. All schemes funded under the Crime Reduction Programme, CCTV Initiative are required to operate under codes of practice designed to ensure their fair and lawful use. Before schemes are approved, individual codes of practice are assessed to ensure they take due account of the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

359 c269W;359 c267W; 142311

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Complaints Disclosure of information Codes of practice CCTV Local government

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk