This document explores the use of CCTV cameras in the UK, which number over 35,000 operated by local authorities at a cost of over £200 million per year. It discusses the debate around whether CCTV is used for protection or an invasion of privacy. Interviews are presented from an injury solicitor, a college principal, a sociologist, and statistics showing a 23% decrease in crime on public transportation when CCTV is present. Concerns are also raised that the majority of CCTV cameras may be operated illegally in the UK.

1. VOICE OVER SCRIPT:
It’s 2012 and with over 60 million people living in the
UK, the authorities have the tough responsibility of
keeping everybody safe. With a number of CCTV cameras
operated by local authorities hitting 35,000, we will
explore why CCTV is costing taxpayers over £200 million a
year and whether it is used as a means of protection or
an invasion of privacy.
We spoke to Martin Guest an injury solicitor at Excalibur
in Solihull about surveillance and how it helps in his
line of work.
The use of video cameras allows CCTV footage to transmit
a signal to a specific place.
“Positive views of CCTV cameras have argued that the
cameras are not intruding in people’s privacy as they are
not watching private, but public space.” (quote)
We visited Paul Ashdown, the principal of a local college
in Birmingham to get his opinion on how CCTV is regulated
legally in his work place.
Public transportation saw a decrease of 23% in crime when
CCTV cameras were present.
We asked Gill Tracey a sociologist from Birmingham to
give us her professional opinion on CCTV.
Surveillance cameras are not just something, which can be
used outside of the home. Many people have started
incorporating CCTV into their own homes as a form of
protection against criminals.
In 2007 an investigation claimed that the majority of
CCTV cameras in the UK are operated illegally. Arguments
say that CCTV displaces crime rather than reduce it.