CCTV systems are an essential part of modern safety and security strategies, especially in schools, public buildings, and local authority sites. But with increasing focus on privacy and data protection, public sector organisations must not only install effective systems – they must also manage them in line with best practice.
Here’s your practical guide to staying compliant and building public trust when using surveillance technology.
1. Follow the 12 Principles of the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice
The Surveillance Camera Code of Practice was introduced under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 to promote transparency and accountability in surveillance.
The 12 guiding principles include:
- Using surveillance only for a clearly defined purpose.
- Having a legitimate aim that is necessary and proportionate.
- Transparency in how systems are operated.
- Regular review to ensure continued relevance and necessity.
- Safeguards to protect against misuse or access by unauthorised parties
These principles are not just best practice – they are essential benchmarks for building public confidence in the use of CCTV.
2. Establish a Clear CCTV Policy
All institutions using CCTV should have a clear, written policy that:
- States the purpose of the CCTV system.
- Identifies the lawful basis for its use (e.g. safeguarding or crime prevention).
- Details the retention period for footage.
- Outlines access protocols for footage and third-party sharing rules.
- Describes how the policy is communicated to staff, pupils, parents, and visitors.
3. Maintain Procedures, Logs and Reviews
Operational integrity requires strong record-keeping:
- Maintain access logs showing who has viewed or retrieved footage.
- Keep maintenance records for CCTV hardware and software.
- Review footage retention policies regularly.
- Conduct an annual audit to assess whether cameras are still required and if their positioning remains appropriate.
- Ensure Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) are updated when new cameras are installed or systems are upgraded.
