Audio CCTV trialled in London

Published on 18 Jan 2007

Westminster council is trialling a hi-tech CCTV system that registers sound as well as images, reports The Guardian.

The six cameras are all based in Soho and, although there may be concerns over a perceived invasion of privacy, Westminster Council insist that the cameras do not record specific conversations but are used to monitor ambient noise. This information is then relayed to a monitoring centre via a wireless network.

If the scheme proves successful it may be extended across London and into other parts of the UK.

Use of cameras that also record sound is becoming more common in cities across Europe and, as we reported last month, the government is considering using audio-controlled cameras during the 2012 London Olympics.