CCTV
CCTV can help clarify whether a security alert is real and is often vital in any post incident investigation. You should constantly monitor the images captured by your CCTV system or regularly check recordings for suspicious activity, ensuring at all times full compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998. This should be specified in your CCTV Data Protection Policy.
CCTV cameras should cover all the entrances and exits to your premises and other areas that are critical to the safe management and security of your operation.
With more organisations moving towards digital CCTV systems, you should liaise with your local police to establish that your system software is compatible with theirs to allow retrieval and use of your images for evidential purposes.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is your CCTV system fit for purpose? Do you need it to confirm alarms, detect intruders through doors or corridors and produce images of evidential quality?
- Are the CCTV cameras in use for the protective security of your premises integrated with those used to monitor customer movement?
- Would the introduction of an Automatic Number Plate Reader (ANPR) system complement your security operation?
The Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST), formerly known as The Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB), has published many useful documents relating to CCTV, including ‘CCTV Operational Requirements Manual’ (Ref: 28/09), ‘UK Police Requirements for Digital CCTV Systems’ (Ref: 09/05). See also the current testing regimes for digital CCTV systems on the CAST website.
Consider also the following points:
- ensure the date and time stamps of the system are accurate and synchronised
- regularly check the quality of recordings
- digital CCTV images should be stored in accordance with the evidential needs of the police. See ‘UK Police Requirements for Digital CCTV Systems’ (Ref: 09/05)
- ensure that appropriate lighting complements the system during daytime and darkness hours
- for analogue systems change tapes daily – use no more than 12 times
- keep your recorded media for at least 31 days
- use good quality recording media and check regularly by playing back on a different machine
- ensure the images recorded are clear and well defined, paying particular attention to people and vehicles
- check that camera alignment and fields of view are appropriate
- implement standard operating procedures, codes of practice and audit trails
- give consideration to the number of camera images a single CCTV operator can effectively monitor at any one time
- do you have sufficient qualified staff to continue to monitor your CCTV system during an incident, evacuation or search?
CCTV Maintenance
CCTV maintenance must be planned and organised in advance and not carried out on an ad hoc basis. If regular maintenance is not carried out, the system may eventually fail to meet its Operational Requirement (OR).
What occurs if a system is not maintained?
- The system gets dirty causing poor usability
- Consumables wear causing poor performance
- Major parts fail
- Weather damage can cause incorrect coverage
- Deliberate damage/environmental changes can go undetected