| Q |
What is CCTV? |
| A |
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) is a television system which operates on a 'closed loop' basis. Unlike broadcast television which is available to anyone with a suitable receiver, CCTV pictures are only available to those directly connected to the loop, which in Wakefields's case is the central monitoring room.
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| Q |
How is CCTV used? |
| A |
CCTV is a very effective tool for crime prevention and detection. It also helps prevent the fear of crime. New uses for CCTV are being developed all the time and demand from areas not covered is high.
Pictures from the cameras are continuously monitored at a central monitoring control room. The Police are informed of suspicious incidents as they arise and can be directed to the exact location by CCTV operators.
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| Q |
Why do we need CCTV? |
| A |
As part of the Council's 'Fast Forward' strategy and Corporate Performance Plan, CCTV aims to reduce and prevent crime and the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour, maintain a clean and attractive environment and develop the local economy.
CCTV cameras deter crime and enable the prevention of incidents before they begin helping to provide a safer environment. Suspects can be identified efficiently and apprehended if required. This is achieved as CCTV enables an instant picture to be seen by the operators and if required the Police. This enables all partners within the Wakefield District to target their resources better.
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| Q |
Does the Council manage CCTV in town centres? |
| A |
Yes, in Wakefield, Castleford, Pontefract, South Elmsall and Hemsworth. The service is Council run, in partnership with West Yorkshire Police.
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| Q |
How many cameras are there in the Wakefield district? |
| A |
The current system has over 150 cameras and is still expanding. The cameras are located in Castleford, Featherstone, Hemsworth, Pontefract, South Elmsall, South Kirkby and Wakefield.
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| Q |
Are there any plans to install more cameras? |
| A |
The need to upgrade and/or renew the CCTV system is continually assessed in order to ensure that we maintain the quality and to ensure that we are getting the best results from the technology available. We will continue to build CCTV into any new or redeveloped car parking facilities. To improve the quality and the efficiency of the service the intention is to upgrade to a fully digital system over the next five years, depending on funding.
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| Q |
Is someone watching the cameras all the time? |
| A |
Yes, fifteen members of staff working full and part-time monitor the cameras 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on a five stationed control room linking all the cameras to video recorders. The images are viewed real time on 36 monitors which can each split into 4 screens in the central monitor room.
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| Q |
Do all the cameras work or are they just there for show? |
| A |
All of the cameras are real and are capable of sending live pictures back to the central monitoring control room. Fake cameras are soon discovered as being just that and detract from the effectiveness of the system
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| Q |
How are the pictures viewed? |
| A |
The images are sent back to the central monitoring control room real-time on fibre where each operator is able to view 36 monitors which can each be split into 4 images from separate cameras, enabling them to view each image simultaneously. The cameras send back high quality colour images and can rotate 360 degrees and zoom in and out to around 150-200 yards.
Any of the cameras can be selected by an operator at any time, viewed on a separate spot monitor and also viewed live by the police enabling them to monitor live incidents themselves and respond accordingly. Images are recorded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
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| Q |
Who sees the pictures? |
| A |
The CCTV operators adhere to a strict code of practice and the use of the cameras is subject to supervision and scrutiny. Only authorised members of staff have access to the CCTV equipment and the operators are responsible for the use of the equipment.
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| Q |
How long are the recordings kept? |
| A |
The images are kept secure for 31 days after which the images are destroyed unless the tapes have been seized by the police in connection with a crime.
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| Q |
What types of incidents have been captured by CCTV? |
| A |
In addition to deterring crime, CCTV also enables operators to identify accidents and arrange for the necessary action to be taken when people are taken ill and collapse, for example. CCTV can also be used to find lost people more efficiently.
CCTV can capture instances of anti-social behaviour and as well as offering safety to people of the district it also acts as a form of evidence gathering. Effective joint working with the Anti-social Behaviour Team enables CCTV to help identify people in breach of an ASBO, for example.
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| Q |
How many incidents and arrests has CCTV played a part in? |
| A |
In 2004, we were involved in monitoring well over 2,000 incidents and our partnership working with the Police enabling them to view more than 2,000 tapes resulting in more than 1,000 arrests.
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| Q |
Why do we still get crime where the cameras are? |
| A |
The cameras are all tilt and zoom capable and have 360 degree movement. There is obviously the chance that the camera may not be pointing in the appropriate direction when an incedent occurs. The CCTV operators are trained to look for hotspots and can leave cameras pointing at such areas when they are not being operated. Each shift also carries out standard checks by surveying the area covered by each camera in a structured way.
Much of the benefit of CCTV is from the deterrence value of the system alone and it is hoped that crime has reduced in the areas where CCTV has been installed due to this.
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| Q |
If I am involved in an incident can I see the video tape? |
| A |
You have the right to see any images of you that have been recorded by the Council's CCTV network, subject to certain Data Protection Act exceptions. The Data Protection Act 1998 obliges the Council to provide, on request, specified information to individuals about whom we possess personal information.
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| Q |
How do I access CCTV footage of myself? |
| A |
If you need to see footage about yourself you should apply in writing to:
The Data Protection Officer
Room 75
County Hall
Wakefield
WF1 2QY
Tel: 01924 305473
Your request should be accompanied by a £10 fee, a recent bill or any other form of identity confirming the applicants name and address, a recent photo of the applicant, any other information that could help pick out the applicant and details of the time, date and place of the footage required. Without these the request cannot be dealt with beyond the initial footage retrieval stage. Your request should be made as soon as possible as footage is normally destroyed after 31 days.
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| Q |
What about my rights under Data Protection? |
| A |
The trained CCTV operators adhere to strict code of practice and the use of the cameras is subject to supervision and scrutiny. Only authorised members of staff have access to the CCTV equipment and the operators are responsible for the use of the equipment.
The CCTV system will only be used to:
- Enhance community safety
- Reduce crime and the fear of crime
- Deter anti-social behaviour, all within the bounds of an improved code of practice. The Data Protection Act 1998, The Human Rights Act 1998, and the Regulation of Investigatory Act 2000, also serve to protect the rights of the public.
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| Q |
What is a Retail Radio link? |
| A |
Retail Radio is a radio network joining retailers, CCTV and the Police together to improve communication links. The scheme is designed to prevent shop theft and make shopping in the city an even safer, more pleasurable and enjoyable experience.
There is also a retail radio system in operation in various parts of the district to enable communication with retail outlets, pubs and nightclubs as well as a number of bus and train stations.
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| Q |
How does Retail Radio work? |
| A |
Each member store has a radio, purchased or rented by themselves, which is linked to the Retail Radio channel enabling them to communicate with each other and pass information to other stores who are in membership. Our CCTV operators also have a radio base station linked to Retail Radio. They are able to monitor the network and direct a Police response where necessary.
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| Q |
What is the involvement level with Retail Radio? |
| A |
We are in contact with 350 Retail Radio users across the district and have dedicated telephone links to the Police at the Police Area Control Room and Police stations. There are also Shopwatch groups at South Elmsall, Hemsworth and Featherstone who run their own schemes in that area and which we take part in.
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