Joined-up thinking crucial to get the best from CCTV

Joined-up thinking is essential to getting the best out of CCTV, is the message from the BSIA

Joined-up thinking is essential to getting the best out of CCTV, is the message from the British Security Industry Association in the wake of a report from the Metropolitan Police Service which highlights concerns around the number of crimes the Police solved using the technology.

"Headline figures from the Met indicate that CCTV is not directly solving as many crimes as the Police would like," says BSIA CCTV Section Chairman, Pauline Norstrom. "However, it is important to put this into context as CCTV is playing a supporting role as part of a jigsaw of evidence which may then culminate in convictions. Also, the CCTV systems installed across the capital will vary hugely in their purpose, and sometimes in their standard, and this brings challenges for the Police."

"The use of CCTV in the UK has very much been an evolution and more coordination is required between police forces, government, industry and the business community to ensure that CCTV is utilised effectively to prevent and detect crime and to secure convictions. These issues are being looked at as part of the BSIA's involvement in the National CCTV Strategy with a view to raising standards, for example through encouraging the adoption of BS 8495 the standard for digital video evidence; educating users and the Police; and strengthening the use of the technology across the UK. I am confident that CCTV can and does play its part in the prevention and detection of crime, but joined-up thinking is required to maximise on CCTV's many benefits."