Surveillance camera commissioner appointed

The Home Office has appointed Andrew Rennison as the UK’s first-ever surveillance camera commissioner.

The role was created with the introduction earlier this year of the CCTV code of practice as part of the Protection of Freedoms Act.

Mr Rennison will report to Parliament on how CCTV and automatic numberplate recognition (ANPR) systems are being used and raise any concerns.

The new role aims to encourage greater transparency in the use of CCTV and ANPR and, as well as ensuring these systems are being used proportionately, it is expected to provide coherent guidance for police forces and local authorities to increase image quality and boost the chances of catching criminals.

The Home Office said Mr Rennison will represent the “interests of the public, ensuring police and local authorities use surveillance camera systems responsibly and follow a code of practice agreed by Parliament”.

Mr Rennison has been the interim CCTV Regulator since 2009 and will combine his new role alongside that of the Home Office forensic science regulator.

Minister for criminal information, Lord Taylor of Holbeach, said: “Used properly, CCTV and ANPR can be valuable tools in the fight against crime, but for too long these systems have grown and developed in the absence of any proper framework or oversight. Andrew Rennison has the experience and authority to hold the police and local authorities to account, empowering the public to shine a light on those who operate camera systems in public places, challenging them to show the use of these systems is justified, proportionate and effective.”

A voluntary code of practice is expected to come into effect from April 2013 and, as well as setting the general principals for the operation of surveillance camera systems, will promote technical and occupational standards to make them more effective.

Lord Taylor said the new commissioner will draw attention to any failings and make recommendations to improve how CCTV is used.

Mr Rennison said: “I am very pleased to be taking on this important role. CCTV has proved hugely valuable in public safety and catching criminals but a balance must be struck between keeping people safe and protecting privacy. Through the code I believe we can greatly increase the public’s awareness of the type of surveillance taking place around them every day and encourage greater openness among those operating CCTV and ANPR systems. At the same time we want to set robust standards for surveillance systems, to increase image quality so the police can catch more criminals.”