Guidance

Introduction

Updated 3 March 2022

1. Introduction

The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (PoFA) introduced legislation governing the use of surveillance camera systems that monitor public space. This includes:

• The Surveillance Camera Code of Practice (2022) (the code)

The Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s role is to:

• encourage compliance with code
• review operation with the code
• provide advice about the code

Section 33(5) of PoFA provides a list of ‘relevant authorities’ who must pay due regard to the code and other operators of surveillance camera systems who are not relevant authorities are encouraged to adopt the code voluntarily. The code covers all forms of surveillance camera systems including Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), Body Worn Video (BWV), Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

When considering the need for a surveillance camera system, it is crucial to specify what you want the system to do and how you want it to perform as well as how much it will cost while ensuring that it complies with all relevant legislation and regulations.

2. Purpose

Using the passport to compliance will help organisations seeking to install and operate surveillance camera systems do so in line with the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice.

This document outlines the requirements you may wish to consider and guides you through the stages necessary when planning, implementing and operating a surveillance camera system to ensure it complies with the code The passport to compliance document guides you through the relevant guiding principles within the code.

3. Who this document is for

The document is primarily aimed at public space surveillance camera systems although it can be adopted and used by those implementing and operating any form of surveillance camera system. It is important to note that in addition to the code you must comply with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Human Rights Act 1998 (where relevant). The Information Commissioner’s Office has published detailed guidance on their website.

4. When you need to complete this document

The passport to compliance should be completed for new systems, upgrades of systems if it significantly alters or enhances the views obtained, when additional cameras are added to a system and when existing systems are extended.

5. The people who should complete this document

Completion of this passport to compliance should be the responsibility of the system owner – this may be delegated to an authorised person/people on behalf of the system owner and may be a consultant or installer. The end product is owned by the system owner.

The documents are:

Stage 1: Planning and Feasibility – This first stage is the operational requirement for the surveillance camera system and takes you through why you want the system and what you want it to do. It also takes you through the privacy impact assessment.

Stage 2: Technical Requirements – This provides an easy to use guide in preparing a basic technical requirement for a proposed surveillance camera system. These requirements will contribute toward the design, operation and maintenance of the system.

Stage 3: Implementation – Once the decision has been taken to proceed, careful consideration needs to be given to planning the whole implementation and management of the system. This guidance helps you to manage and coordinate the delivery of your system.

These documents are protected, as protection is needed in Word for form fields and check boxes to work. If you want to unprotect the forms to adapt them for your own purposes:

• for Word 2016, 2013 and 2010 select File > Info > Protect Document > Restrict Editing (or Remove Editing Restrictions) and click on Stop Protection;
• for Word 2007 select the Review tab, click on Protect Document, click on Restrict Formatting and Editing, and click on Stop Protection;
• for Word 2003 and earlier, select Tools > Unprotect Document. If you have any questions about these documents please contact the surveillance camera commissioner’s office at enquiries@obscc.org.uk