Report to Deputy Leader and Portfolio
Holder for Strategy
Subject:
CCTV Strategy
Status:
Routine Matter for Decision
September 2014
Report ref:
Ward(s):
All
Key Decision:
Yes
Key Decision / Ref:
879/SC
Report of:
Head of Community Services
Contact officer:
Marion Short, Wellbeing and Community Manager x2217
Appendices:
Appendix 1 - CCTV Strategy
Papers relied on to
CCTV Review (Safer North Hants, June 2014)
produce this report:
1
Executive Summary
1.1
This report presents a CCTV Strategy for adoption. This Strategy, attached at
Appendix 1, provides a framework for the management of the CCTV systems
for which the council is responsible to ensure appropriate infrastructure,
monitoring and compliance arrangements are in place.
2
Recommendation
2.1
It is recommended that:
2.1.1
The CCTV Strategy be adopted, subject to approval of the Medium Term
Financial Strategy for 2015/16.
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PRIORITIES, IMPACTS AND RISKS
Contribution to Council Priorities
This report accords with the council’s Budget and Policy Framework and directly
supports the Council Plan priority of creating neighbourhoods where people feel safe
and want to live.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Term
Definition
CCTV
Closed Circuit Television
MAIN CONSIDERATIONS
3
Background
3.1
The primary focus of this report and the accompanying strategy is the Closed
Circuit Television (CCTV) owned by the council in Basingstoke town centre;
however it is also of relevance to other locations and providers.
3.2
The council owns CCTV systems at various sites across the Borough,
including Basingstoke town centre, the Leisure Park, depots and civic offices.
Some cameras cover areas of public space and are monitored through staffed
control rooms, whereas others are installed for the protection of property and
images are recorded on site but can be accessed remotely.
3.3
The main public space CCTV system is at the Top of the Town in Basingstoke
town centre. These cameras are currently monitored at a control room in
Festival Place shopping centre along with the privately owned shopping
centre cameras. The council also owns the CCTV system in the Malls which is
provided for the benefit of the retail tenants and contributes to town centre
CCTV coverage for community safety purposes. This system is monitored by
arrangement with the management company responsible for the Malls. There
is a direct link from the town centre systems to the police control centre at
Netley.
3.4
The existing Top of the Town cameras are reaching the end of their
operational life, which has prompted the need for a review of CCTV provision.
In addition to decisions relating to the Top of the Town cameras, there are
other factors influencing the council’s approach to CCTV, including whether it
is considered to be effective; improved capabilities through new technology;
ambitious development plans for Basingstoke Town Centre; the need for the
council and its partners to find innovative and cost effective service delivery
solutions; and more legislative control and scrutiny relating to the use of
CCTV, wherever it is installed.
3.5
In order to inform decisions about the future of the council’s CCTV, the council
commissioned the shared Community Safety Service, Safer North Hampshire,
to review the provision at the Top of the Town and the Malls and to produce
recommendations on the way forward for these and other systems in the
town.
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3.6
The findings from the research have led to the development of the CCTV
Strategy, which sets out the aims, outcomes, key principles and actions for
the future management of the council’s CCTV.
4
Options Analysis
4.1
The first phase of the study was to establish the value of CCTV in order for
the council to assess whether the Top of the Town cameras should be
replaced as they come to the end of their operational life. Discussions were
held with a range of stakeholders, and it was evident from their feedback that
it is considered CCTV plays a significant role in detecting crime and anti-social
behaviour as well as leading to interventions at an early stage to prevent
incidents becoming more serious.
4.2
There was a strong feeling that the proactively monitored CCTV system
provides reassurance to people in the town centre. Basingstoke town centre is
one of 46 towns and cities across the UK, and only the second place in
Hampshire, alongside Winchester, to be recognised for offering a safe and
enjoyable night out by achieving the Purple Flag award. The presence of
CCTV contributes to this assessment. Where there have been incidents of
crime, the value of CCTV has also been demonstrated, as shown by the
following examples given by the police from cases reported over the last
couple of years:
‘A CCTV operator noticed an individual in Market Place with a knife and called
it straight into the Police Control Room. The Police attended within three
minutes and detained the suspect. The result was an early guilty plea at
court.’
‘In an unprovoked attack by two males in the town centre, CCTV clearly
showed the offence occurring and one of the offenders cycling away, being
chased by Police and arrested. The continuity of CCTV evidence provided
meant that other identification processes, which were considered unlikely to
be successful, were not required and both offenders were convicted of
Grievous Bodily Harm. In this account, when asked about the value of CCTV
in progressing the case, the officer said “CCTV was the case”.’
4.3
The Street Pastors describe the town centre CCTV system as ‘invaluable’,
citing reasons of personal safety and the ability to talk down a potentially
volatile situation by pointing out the existence of cameras to the person or
group they are dealing with. One example given is as follows:
‘One evening whilst in Winchester Street we noticed two groups with an
individual from each group hurling abuse at each other and squaring up and
being egged on by their friends to fight. A street pastor intervened and
reminded the groups that they were on camera and that CCTV was watching
them. We then spoke to friends of the individuals and requested they take
their friend away as the CCTV will now have contacted police - and reminded
them that they will only end up in trouble and regret it in the morning. We
encouraged the friends to take them away, which they did. The groups went
off in 2 different directions. Situation calmed.’
4.4
The Community Safety Patrol service provided an example of the role of
CCTV in detecting offenders:
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‘The officer was patrolling in Church Street when he heard about a shoplifting
incident in the town centre over the Shop Watch radio, including the
description of the offender. They noticed a person matching the description
given and contacted the CCTV controllers to let them know their location. The
officer witnessed the individual putting a bag in a litterbin and kept in constant
contact with CCTV. The Police had been deployed and detained the offender,
who denied having been in possession of the bag but the CSPO was able to
direct the Police to the litterbin so they could retrieve the bag. The offender
was subsequently arrested ‘
4.5
In addition to the positive views of stakeholders, which include town centre
businesses, there is evidence from local and national public surveys that there
is general public support for the presence of CCTV.
4.6
This feedback has led to the conclusion that the CCTV service should
continue and that the systems in the Top of the Town be replaced. Assuming
that CCTV provision should be taken forward, the study highlighted issues
and opportunities relating to aspects such as procurement, compliance with
legislation, promotion and partnerships that would need to be explored.
4.7
In order to provide a clear approach and commitment to these issues the
strategy attached at Appendix 1 has been developed. The scope and speed of
implementation of the actions does depend on whether resources can be
secured through the budget process, which will be confirmed at full council in
February 2015.
5
Corporate Implications
5.1
Financial Implications
5.1.1
A capital sum will be required to renew the cameras and associated
infrastructure as set out in the action plan. This will be factored into the
Medium Term Financial Strategy to be presented to full council in February
2015.
5.1.2
The revenue budget provision for CCTV in 2014/15 is £89,000 which includes
the costs of the monitoring, maintenance and link to the police CCTV control
room. A procurement process will need to be undertaken during 2015/16 for
further contract periods.
5.1.3
Delivery of the actions to achieve the strategy outcomes requires officer
resource, specifically a post that includes CCTV responsibilities, which has
hitherto not been the case. A solution has been developed as part of a wider
refresh of community safety functions, which will be factored into the Medium
Term Financial Strategy to be presented to full council in February 2015. This
arrangement will be for two years when progress against the implementation
of the CCTV strategy action plan will be reviewed.
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5.2
Risk Issues
5.2.1
The significant support for the provision of CCTV evidenced through the
research would indicate that there would be adverse implications for the levels
of crime prevention, detection and early intervention and in levels of public
reassurance if CCTV was to be discontinued. It is also likely to have a
negative impact on the reputation of the council, particularly at a time when
the town centre improvement plan is a key council priority.
5.2.2
If CCTV does continue, there are risks to the council if it is not managed and
monitored in compliance with legislation and best practice. The approach
advocated in this strategy would mitigate those risks.
5.3
The risks associated with adopting the strategy relate mainly to the ability to
deliver the actions and the need to secure appropriate resource. There would
also be risks associated with procurement processes. These risks are
mitigated by a robust business case for CCTV as part of the Medium Term
Financial Strategy from 2015/16, and good project planning and contract
management processes.
5.4
HR Issues
5.4.1
The need for a post with CCTV responsibilities has been highlighted. This has
been factored into the proposed approach for coordinating wider community
safety functions.
5.5
Equalities
5.5.1
The CCTV Strategy sets out the intentions for the provision of CCTV
infrastructure, monitoring and maintenance arrangements and compliance.
The general impact on groups with protected characteristics is generally
positive as the benefits of CCTV are for all. The development of policies that
ensure monitoring, recording, use and storage of images complies with
legislation and best practice will require an equalities impact assessment in
accordance with the council’s public sector equality duty.
5.6
Legal Implications
5.6.1
There is no statutory obligation for a council to provide CCTV, but where it is
provided, it must be managed in accordance with relevant legislation, such as
the Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act. The twelve guiding
principles set out in the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice (Home Office,
June 2013), as presented in the Strategy at Appendix 1, are to be used to
assist the council ensure it is compliant with all legal requirements and with
best practice.
5.6.2
The provision of any new cameras and their associated maintenance would
be procured in accordance with the Council's Contract Standing Orders.
5.7
Any Other Implications
5.7.1
The CCTV Strategy will support the council’s robust approach to addressing
anti-social behaviour and crime and disorder, particularly in Basingstoke town
centre. It contributes to a safer night time economy and is an important factor
in achieving Purple Flag recognition.
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5.7.2
The development of a CCTV strategy is also an action in the Basingstoke
Town Centre Programme - rolling action plan to March 2016 (action number
16).
6
Communication and Consultation
6.1
A small working group, including a representative from the police, supported
the research undertaken by an officer from Safer North Hampshire Community
Safety Team. That research involved consultation with a wide range of council
and police officers, business and retail stakeholders in the town, CCTV
suppliers and providers in other districts.
6.2
The draft CCTV Strategy was circulated for comment to key stakeholders and
has been endorsed by the police and Basingstoke and Deane Neighbourhood
Watch.
6.3
One of the actions in the strategy recognises the need for improved
communication about the benefits of a monitored CCTV service, which will be
a task to be coordinated by the lead CCTV officer, working with the council’s
communications team.
7
Conclusion
7.1
Extensive research and consultation has demonstrated that CCTV plays a
significant role in helping to make people feel safer. Its use is supported by
stakeholders.
7.2
The CCTV Strategy provides the council and other providers with a framework
to guide the ongoing provision of CCTV and seeks to ensure the council
complies with all relevant legislation and best practice.
7.3
It is recommended the CCTV Strategy be adopted, subject to approval of the
Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2015/16 which will include the necessary
capital and revenue budgets for implementation.
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