CCTV policy

3.1     The CCTV Policy sets out the Council’s approach to the authorisation and use of overt CCTV installations controlled by the council. This includes internal and external cameras, fixed and mobile cameras, automated number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, potential Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (e.g. drones) and Body Worn Cameras.

3.2    The objectives of the CCTV policy are to:
•    Raise awareness of the Council’s obligations and the rights of the general public under the referenced legislation above in relation to CCTV cameras

•    Outline the Council’s processes in relation to CCTV cameras 

•    Promote a culture of transparency and accountability  

•    Build public trust and confidence 

•    Improve the general public’s feeling of safety in the borough  

•    Support enforcement functions within the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and other relevant enforcement authorities

3.3    The use of covert surveillance by CCTV is covered by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) Policy and not this not covered in this over CCTV policy.

3.4    The use of CCTV for enforcement purposes and for the prevention and detection of crime needs to be balanced with the rights of individuals to privacy and protection of personal data. As such, checks and balances must be in place by the Council. This includes that a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) is undertaken for each CCTV location to ensure that privacy is not being unnecessarily impacted. Authorisation of the placing of CCTV is also authorised by the Executive Director (Resident Services and Climate Change). 

3.5    The Council is the data controller of the personal data obtained by the CCTV that we use or operate. The data will be kept securely to maintain the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the information captured, and usually for only 30 days unless it needs to be retained longer for investigation or enforcement purposes. 

3.6    CCTV footage is only accessed by authorised officers and used for legitimate purposes. Council Officers handling footage receive training on handling personal data and data protection.

3.7    CCTV footage can be requested under the Data Protection Act 2018 from enforcement bodies and others and all requests for CCTV footage are reviewed by the Data Protection Officer. Redaction of data is undertaken as needed to preserve privacy and protection of personal data.