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Doors open - 20 June 2019

Updated 13 June 2019

What is Doors Open?

The Doors Open initiative encourages organisations to open their video surveillance camera control rooms to members of the public. It’s part of Surveillance Camera Day and is designed to give people access to the control room so they can see firsthand how they are run to keep communities safe and secure whilst not intruding on their privacy.

The Doors Open initiative is intended to support a broader conversation about the role of surveillance cameras in modern society and will take part alongside national and local publicity around the Surveillance Camera Day.

What is involved?

The key element to Doors Open is organisations opening their doors to members of the public to given them an opportunity to find out how video surveillance control rooms operate. It’s a really good chance to demystify the myths around how and why surveillance cameras are used.

You may wish to open your doors to any member of the public or specific groups such as schools. We would anticipate that the duration of visits and the number of visitors is managed by the participating organisation and that a guide is on hand to explain what happens in the centre.

When is it happening?

Surveillance Camera Day is taking place on Thursday 20 June 2019 and we would like organisations to aim to open their doors on this day or as close to it as is practically possible.

How do we tell people?

We suggest that you can advertise what and when you’re doing through your usual communications channels which your communications colleagues will be able to help with. The Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s office will supply a poster template that can be used for advertising the event.

There will be a dedicated website for Surveillance Camera Day which will list all the organisations participating in Doors Open, including how to contact participating organisations. Social media activity around Door Open will also take place.

If you are going to participate in Doors Open please can you also let the Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s (scc@sccommissioner.gov.uk) office know so they can add you to the list of participating organisations on their website.

How can people book?

It is for you as an organisation to decide how you manage the bookings for the day such as the number of people you allow in to the control room, the timings and so on. We would suggest that you can manage bookings by using an event booking website such as Eventbrite. The Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s office can assist with the creation of an Eventbrite page if required.

What about people’s privacy?

It is important that the Doors Open event does not compromise protocols concerning privacy and access to surveillance control centres. All participating organisations should follow their established procedures for allowing visitors into the centres.

You should speak to your Data Protection Officer about any potential breaches of the Data Protection Act 2018 in relation to letting people into your control rooms and what they can and can’t view.

Which organisations are taking part?

• Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
• Caerphilly County Borough Council
• Gloucestershire Police
• Hackney Council
• North Bristol NHS Trust
• North Wales Police
• Southend on Sea Borough Council
• Surrey Police – Woking
• University of Wolverhampton

Please contact the Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s office or Professor William Webster at CRISP if you require further information about Doors Open or Surveillance Camera Day.