Privacy Zones

These are examples of privacy zones;

• The camera is programmed to block out windows.
• The operator can turn the camera 360 degrees and the privacy zone (a grey block) will remain on the windows.
• All cameras that over look residential premises are programmed with privacy zones.

Data Protection Acts, 1984 and 1998

To take into account future legislative change, the eight principles of the Data Protection Act, are to be adhered by every Local Authority owned CCTV scheme; namely to:

• Obtain and process personal data fairly and lawfully.
• Hold the data only for the purposes specified.
• Use the data only for the purposes, and disclose only to the people, shown within these policies and procedures.
• Only hold data, which is adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to the purpose for which the data are held.
• Ensure personal data is accurate and where necessary, kept up to date.
• Hold data for no longer than is necessary.
• Allow individuals access to information held about them and, where appropriate, correct it or erase it.
• Take security measures to prevent unauthorised or accidental access to, alteration, disclosure, or loss and destruction or information.
  

In order to support the requirements of these policies and procedures, in particular, legislation surrounding the recording and storage of sound and image data, all members of the Partnership, (i.e. all Local Authorities and Staffordshire Police) must register their use of CCTV with the Data Protection Registrar. For the purpose of "crime prevention, crime detection and public safety and for the prosecution of offenders".

Civil Liberties - Guiding Principles

Every CCTV scheme must ensure the principles of civil liberties are not being breached.

Fundamentally, it must be shown that:

• Individual members of the public are not being harassed, and
• No other agency (e.g. the police) is in 'regular' control of Local Authority CCTV coverage.
• The operators of the cameras will operate with the utmost probity at all times.
• Every use of the camera will accord with the purposes and key objectives of the scheme and shall be in compliance with these policies and procedures and with supplementary Local Authority Codes of Practice and Operating Procedures (if the latter does not contradict the earlier).
• Cameras will not be used to look into private property. 'Privacy zones' may be programmed into the system as required in order to ensure that cameras do not survey the interior of any private property within range of the scheme.
• Camera operators will be mindful of exercising prejudices that may lead to complaints of the scheme being used for purposes other than those for which it is intended. The operators may be required to justify the interest in, or recording of, any particular individual, group of individuals or property at any time by virtue of the scheme or by the scheme managers.
  
  This is further supported and encompassed in UK law, by both the Data Protection Act 1998 - CCTV Codes of Practice (July 2000), and the Human Rights Act 1998.