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The Role of CCTV
The Town Centre CCTV system was established in Torbay with the objective of deterring and detecting crime and disorder. Working in close support to the Police and Torbay Safer Communities Partnership the Town Centre CCTV System has helped to make Torbay a safer place to live, work and visit.
In addition to the primary role of reducing crime and anti-social behaviour the CCTV system also provides a number of other functions; these include monitoring traffic flow, locating missing/lost persons and assisting in the general management of the town centres, parks, car parks and harbours. The CCTV control room staff also coordinate the ‘StoreNet’ and ‘NiteNet’ radio systems which have been highly successful in reducing retail crime and public order issues associated with the night time economy.
System Details
The CCTV system currently comprises of 59 ‘on street’ cameras located in the town centres and sea front areas of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. The central control room also monitors a further 156 cameras located in Torbay’s car parks and civic buildings. All cameras are clearly visible and signs indicate to members of the public when they are entering an area covered by the CCTV system.
Images from Town Centre CCTV cameras are recorded 24hrs a day and footage from the system can be used as evidence in both criminal and civil legal proceedings.
The CCTV cameras are operated in strict adherence to all relevant legislation and Home Office guidelines.
The Team
The Central CCTV Control Room is staffed by a dedicated team of operators, who reactively and proactively monitor the cameras during the key hours of the day and night, 7 days a week. All staff are trained in control room operations and public space surveillance and are licenced by the Security Industry Authority to operate public facing CCTV systems. Staff are also subjected to Criminal Records Bureau checks and Police vetting before taking up their posts and at regular review points during their employment.
Police Access to CCTV Footage
Where an offence has been reported in an area covered by Torbay Council’s CCTV cameras, the Police will as a matter of routine request to view any CCTV footage that may be relevant to their investigations.
Subject Access
Under the Data Protection Act 1998 you have a right, subject to certain exemptions, to be told whether any personal data is held about you; this includes CCTV footage . You also have a right to a copy of that information in a permanent form except where the supply of such a copy is not possible or would involve disproportionate effort. Torbay Council, however, will only disclose that information, if it can verify your identity and is satisfied that you are the subject of the data requested. The Council is not obliged to comply with the request if release of the information will disclose information relating to another individual who can be identified from that information, unless:
- The other individual has consented to the disclosure of information, or
- It is reasonable in all circumstances to comply with the request without the consent of the other individual(s).
In accordance with the Act Torbay Council may also deny access to information where the disclosure of that information may be likely to predjudice any of the following purposes:
- The prevention and detection of crime.
- The apprehension and prosecution of offenders.
An administration fee of £10 is payable for any application for CCTV footage made via the subject access process. For more details on how to apply for CCTV data see the Application for Subject Access to CCTV Information in the Related Documents.
Related Documents
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Application for Subject Access to CCTV Information
Notes explain how you can find out what information, if any, is held about you on the CCTV System.
Last updated: 31/10/2011, 11:18am (114 KB)
Contact CCTV Control Room
- Tel: 01803 310403
- Email: cctv@torbay.gov.uk
- Fax:
