Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is taking steps to ensure a consistent standard of video surveillance systems and readers so that all CCTV recordings are accessible (a) to the police and security services and (b) during criminal trials; and if he will make a statement.

The role of the Surveillance Camera Commissioner is to encourage compliance with the surveillance camera code of practice. The code provides guidance on the appropriate and effective use of surveillance camera systems by relevant authorities (as defined by section 33 of the Protection of Freedoms 2012 Act). These relevant authorities include police forces and the National Crime Agency. Other operators and users of surveillance camera systems in England and Wales are encouraged to adopt the code voluntarily.

The code also sets out guiding principles that should apply to all surveillance camera systems in public places. One of these principles is that systems are capable of providing good quality images and other information which are fit for purpose.

In addition, as part of the CJS efficiency programme ‘ClickShare’ technology has been rolled out across criminal courts in England and Wales. ClickShare equipment and software can be used to present evidence in court such as CCTV footage.