Councils using far less CCTV following spending cuts

Councils have slashed spending on CCTV and are operating fewer cameras, according to a new report.
CCTV cameraCCTV camera
CCTV camera

Local authorities in the UK committed at least £277 million to the installation, maintenance and monitoring of the systems between 2012 and 2015, research by campaign group Big Brother Watch found.

A previous study found that between 2007 and 2011, town halls spent £515 million - equivalent to £128 million a year - and controlled at least 51,600 CCTV cameras.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The latest findings point to annual spending of £92 million from 2012 to 2015 and indicate local authorities oversaw 45,284 cameras as of March last year.

Last year there were warnings that police could find it more difficult to detect crime if councils switch off cameras in order to cut costs amid budget squeezes.

Big Brother Watch welcomed the reduction in spending - but claimed the rationale behind it is “not ideological”.

Chief executive Renate Samson said: “Whilst the findings of this report appear encouraging, the reduction in spending may be nothing more than a lull before the storm of more intrusive, biometric or 3D cameras appearing on our streets.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Should councils wish to invest in smart digital CCTV systems, we urge them to do so by proper consultation with local residents.

“A measured approach should be taken with any surveillance system.

“Privacy should always be given as much weight as security.”

The report was based on freedom of information requests sent to authorities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There was a 96 per cent response rate.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It found that between 2012 and 2015, local authorities spent:

:: At least £38.2 million on installing fixed and mobile CCTV cameras.

:: Just under £140 million on maintaining cameras.

:: £99 million on wages and salary costs of operators.

Surveillance camera commissioner Tony Porter, writing in the Big Brother Watch report, said: “Despite the reduction in spending highlighted in this report, I am certain that new and advancing technologies will see further investment by local authorities to deliver new and exciting capabilities.

“The sums of money involved are massive and it’s important that those charged with delivering this service get it right.”

Related topics: