Public CCTV
There are 41 CCTV cameras controlled by us covering Ashfield, including re-depolyable cameras which can be relocated to areas of concern, as required.
We have cameras covering our town centres in Kirbky, Sutton and Hucknall, car parks in these areas, with cameras covering Kingsway Park and Sutton Lawns and 2 cameras installed at Titchfield Park.
These cameras are upgraded versions, giving the best coverage both day and night. The cameras are monitored 24 hours a day, every day of the year to ensure members of the public feel safe and prevent incidents from occurring. Where an incident does occur the cameras may provide the evidence for further action.
Public CCTV in Ashfield
CCTV in Ashfield is monitored at Police Headquarters Sherwood Lodge, Nottinghamshire and includes monitoring of Newark and Sherwood District Council and Broxtowe Borough Council CCTV. This arrangement is managed through the Partnership Shared Service Agreement.
All cameras were placed strategically in a planned network designed to:
- prevent and deter crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour from taking place in the areas covered by CCTV
- provide reassurance for the legitimate town centre user’s particularly vulnerable people and during the night time economy
- identify any perpetrators or evidence of anti-social behaviour or criminal activity that can be challenged and the appropriate tools and powers utilised
- enhance the commercial viability of the district, encouraging regeneration and protecting property and assets.
The CCTV control room is continuously staffed by 1 or 2 SIA licensed operators, who monitor approximately 200 cameras across the three districts. These operators work closely with the police control rooms when issues are taking place.
Links with Nottinghamshire Police
The control room has direct links with Nottinghamshire Police via dedicated police radios and a direct telephone link. The control room can also directly transmit images to the police control room to allow them to monitor live incidents.
Links with local businesses
The control room is in contact with more than 30 local businesses in Ashfield via a radio link system which enables retailers, including pubs and clubs and the CCTV control room to speak to each other directly.
The benefits of CCTV include:
- better targeting and use of police resources
- deterring criminal activity and disorder
- greater detection of incidents and identification of criminals
- quality evidence - a fearless and accurate witness
- prevention of incidents before they begin
- instant assistance with accidents/people taken ill
- a greater chance of finding missing persons quickly
- decreased fear of crime in areas covered by CCTV
- a 24 hour continual presence protecting communities.
Data protection and security
CCTV is provided for the benefit of the community - to deter and detect acts of crime and disorder.
The CCTV system is run in accordance with data protection and human rights legislation and never to the detriment of any individual. The CCTV system is also run in line with the code of practice.
All activities and incidents covered within the control room are logged. Access to the control room is restricted and visits and inspections can be made by an independent CCTV inspector as required.
To ensure there is public awareness for CCTV, signage is in place in all areas in Ashfield covered by cameras and with a contact number in case of complaint or query.
To ensure that no camera can see into a private property, an automatic 'privacy zone' blanks out the images within the windows and CCTV monitors inform of any issues if this fails.
Code of practice
All CCTV systems should comply with the 12 guiding principles of the surveillance camera code of practice outlined by the Surveillance Camera Commissioner.
We aim to ensure that we comply with these principles & have completed a self assessment previously.
Visits
It is possible for organised, official groups to visit the control room. Please contact us for more details.
- email: asb@ashfield.gov.uk
Registration of CCTV Cameras
There is a legal requirement for organisations that process and collect CCTV images, under the Data Protection Act, to register their premises with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Most organisations and businesses will be required to pay an annual notification fee of £35 and provide details about the types of personal information they process.
You need to notify the ICO and you can find out more on their website. The ICO has also produced an online self assessment tool to help businesses determine whether they need to notify.
Requesting CCTV footage
You can request images of you which have been recorded by our CCTV camera system. However any requests must comply with the Data Protection Act 1998.
There will be a charge to view the footage. There may be additional charges if we have to obscure images of other people in the film, or for any media supplied such as DVDs.
If you, your car or property have been involved in an incident and you believe this may have been caught on our CCTV cameras, you should first report the incident to the police who will investigate the matter.
You, your insurance company or lawyer can request to access the images if it is in connection with an investigation or court case, however charges will still apply.
We will need specific details from you, such as the date, time and location of the incident as well as a photograph of you, to help us find the images. The photograph will help to identify you in the footage.
We cannot provide any footage which is part of an ongoing police investigation. In this case you or your representative would need to contact the police officer dealing with the case for authorisation prior to making the request.
To request footage from us contact us by:
- email: CustomerServices@ashfield.gov.uk
- telephone: 01623 450000
- post:
Customer Services
Ashfield District Council
Council Officers
Urban Road
Kirkby in Ashfield
Nottinghamshire
NG17 8DA.