Licensing requirements for the use of CCTV: second request
Updated 11 July 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/licensing-requirements-for-the-use-of-cctv/licensing-requirements-for-the-use-of-cctv-second-request
Request
I appreciate that this FOI was flagged yesterday, and I know the limitations in terms of what is easily available to find.
To that end, I have also enlisted other sources to decipher the particulars I am seeking answers to. I have also checked this information with 3 SIA customer service operators and cross referenced it against information available on the GOV.UK SIA pages.
Please take your time to respond to the FOI request in full.
It is crucial for the exercise that the responses from the main source (SIA) are clear and accurate. Please see attached the already verified information from the SIA and from one other credible source that has also been verified [a training provider].
Response
In this follow-up request you have asked for a definitive view on whether you are required to hold an SIA public space surveillance (CCTV) licence.
Please be advised that the Freedom of Information Act gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities. We are not required to create new information to respond to a request or to give a judgement or an opinion on subject matters within our remit or on information that is not already recorded. As your request is asking for an opinion, it falls outside the scope of the Act’s requirements.
In our response, we assisted you by providing information on SIA licensing requirements and giving you links to where this information is outlined in more detail on GOV.UK.
If you require compliance advice, then we suggest that your business submits a subject request through their online SIA business account and your query can be looked into further.