Requirement for CCTV Code of Practice.

[Nigel W]

All Councils that engage in CCTV Enforcement ought to have a current CCTV Code of Practice or Conduct in place to do so. I have noticed that several Councils do not have any code published on their web sites. Some Councils Richmond included have an out of date Code. If a LA are using Mobile CCTV, information about this this ought to be included in the Code.

The following information comes from London Councils. It can be found here:
http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/policylobbying/transport/parkinginlondon/cctvcodeofpractice.htm

An essential and integral part of any CCTV system is a Code of Practice, which sets out the objectives of the system and the rules by which it will be operated. This Code of Practice ensures that issues such as privacy, integrity and fairness are properly dealt with. It sets a minimum standard which must be adhered to by all those authorities in London enforcing traffic regulations using CCTV cameras to ensure public confidence in the scheme.

It is also contained within the DfT Operational Guidance to Local Authorities (revised edition Nov. 2010) so it also applies to LAs outside london:

8.82 An essential and integral part of any system is a code of practice. This sets out the objectives of the system and the rules it will follow. Authorities should ensure that they produce (or adopt) and follow a code of practice.

I have seen somewhere that Adjudicators have allowed appeals simply because there was no Code of Practice in place.

Send emails to your LAs asking where their CCTV Code of Practice can be found. If it is not up to date inform them of their obligations.