Is CCTV legal?

Closed Circuit television offers a 16% reduction in overall crime-a number that climbs to 50% in car park and property crime. When monitored and used in an effective location, those statistics rise even more, but is it legal in the UK? Let’s find out.

Legalisation of CCTV

CCTV Gloucester was formally adopted as a Police Force Policy in 1995. While video surveillance already existed in the UK, that year, the number of fixed CCTV cameras rose exponentially. The Data Protection Act of 1998 and the Human Rights Act determined how CCTV was to be regulated. The new policy allowed this form of surveillance in public places in ’95.

Modern Applications

The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act of 2000 explicitly allowed covert surveillance, provided police authorisation was given. This gave clients of businesses such as apmfireandsecurity.com/cctv-installation/cctv-installation-gloucester a little more space to operate, but the law continued to evolve.

Domestic Usage

In modern-day Gloucester, residents are legally within their rights to install CCTV anywhere on their own property. Footage must, however, stay within home boundaries. If your footage infringes on your neighbours’ privacy, you become noncompliant with the Data Protection Act of 2018. If your CCTV footage is expected to capture your neighbours’ property, you must request their consent.

CCTV doesn’t just keep your home safer. It has an impact on neighbourhood crime rates, too, so your neighbours might consider it a benefit. Your footage might even detect a crime on their property one day, but consent is integral nonetheless, particularly if you’re collecting audio data as well.