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Public CCTV

There are 57 public space CCTV cameras controlled by us which cover Ashfield, used to enhance community safety across the District.

We have cameras covering our town centres in Kirkby, Sutton and Hucknall and in car parks in these areas, with cameras covering Kingsway Park and Sutton Lawns and 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. 

CCTV monitoring arrangements

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 users, 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 3 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. 

Safepoint Cameras

The Help Point provides a means to request urgent assistance for anyone who feels in danger; before a crime occurs.

The solution comprises a wireless CCTV re-deployable dome camera, audio address system and a 2-way control panel that allows a person in distress to place an SOS request and connect with their local police control room. Pushing a 'panic button' on the Help Point initiates an immediate crime prevention response. The police can remotely access the cameras, issue audio warnings and speak directly to those in distress while gathering video evidence.

The IR range at night will reach 160 meters and during daylight hours and good visibility, the range of these cameras is over 200 meters.

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 and have completed a self assessment previously.

Registration of business, organisation and domestic 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.

The ICO issued revised guidance on domestic CCTV in May 2015.

If your domestic CCTV overlooks a boundary onto a road, path or neighbouring property then you needs to be registered as a data controller with the ICO.

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 General Data Protection Regulation 2018.

If we can meet your request, 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 the council's 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 using the form in the related documents section of this page 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 us 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. 

Requesting body worn video (BWV) footage of yourself

You can ask to view any CCTV or body worn video camera footage that you appear in. Under data protection law, you have a right to see any pictures if you are the subject. Please note that we only hold CCTV or body worn video footage recorded by our cameras and staff. If your request relates to footage recorded by other organisations, such as the police, you will need to contact the organisation directly.

You can only see footage of yourself unless all other individuals in the video have consented. We will blank out or edit the pictures to make sure no-one else can be identified.

Only the person who made the request can see the recording.

You can only get a copy of the recording if the data protection officer is satisfied that both of the following apply:

  • The recording will not become part of a live criminal investigation, civil proceedings, or complaint
  • Proper procedures will be followed.

If you are requesting CCTV footage, please use the form in the related documents section of this page.

There is a charge for requesting this footage.

Requests from insurance companies

If you are requesting CCTV footage on behalf of an insurance company, use the form in the related documents section of this page.

There is a charge for requesting this footage.

Requesting CCTV footage charges

There is a charge for requesting any type of CCTV footage: 

  • Search - £50.00 + VAT
  • Disclosure of footage - £100.00 + VAT.

Storage of CCTV footage

We store footage for 30 calendar days. If you submit your request more than 25 calendar days after the date of an incident, we may not be able to accommodate your request. We cannot refund any payments where the footage has been deleted.

Requests from law enforcement organisations

If you are requesting footage on behalf of a law enforcement organisation, such as the police, please email:

What happens next?

It takes up to 30 calendar days to get a response. If we are satisfied with your reasons and can make sure that showing you the recording will not compromise anyone else's privacy, we will grant your request.

Visits

It is possible for organised, official groups to visit the control room. Please contact us by email for more details:

Contact

For any further information on CCTV, contact us by: 

ASB Duty
Ashfield District Council
Council Officers
Urban Road
Kirkby in Ashfield
Nottinghamshire
NG17 8DA. 

Related links:

Related documents: