Guidance published on buying CCTV

The Surveillance Camera Commissioner has published a Buyer’s Toolkit, to provide guidance for the non-expert who is thinking about buying a surveillance camera system and wants to maximise their chance of success – and minimise risk – by observing the principles of good practice.

The primary target audience is SMEs (up to 250 staff) and micro-businesses (up to nine staff). However, the five-stage approach in the document is guidance which would be valuable for any organisation considering the use of surveillance cameras.

Following the guidance will help businesses to make informed decisions about whether surveillance can be justified as a solution to their problems. If deploying surveillance cameras is necessary, then the toolkit is full of advice and tips on how to get the best out of your prospective suppliers.

The toolkit has been developed under the National Surveillance Camera Strategy for England and Wales to help security industry suppliers demonstrate to their customers that they understand and follow good practice and legal obligations.

For relevant authorities under Section 33(5) of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, and for larger organisations, readers may want to refer to the Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s Passport to Compliance.