CameraWatch says most UK CCTV illegal

Published on 28 Jun 2007

Up to 90% of the UK's CCTV cameras may be illegal according to CCTV watchdog CameraWatch , reports telegraph.co.uk.

CameraWatch chairman Gordon Ferrie said:

"Our research shows that up to 90 per cent of CCTV installations fail to comply with the Information Commissioner's code of practice, and that many installations are operated illegally.

"That has profound implications for the reputation of the CCTV and camera surveillance industry and all concerned with it."

Mr Ferrie voiced fears that the use of CCTV footage in criminal cases could be undermined because operators are failing to follow correct procedures.

Industry regulator, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), disagreed with the findings.

Ken Macdonald, Assistant Information Commissioner for Scotland, said:

"We welcome the initiative by CameraWatch to promote compliance with the Data Protection Act.

"We are not aware of any evidence that supports the suggestion that 90 per cent of CCTV cameras are not complying with the ICO Code of Practice. We don't believe there is any such evidence.