CCTV Systems Role in Reducing Crime

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CCTV Systems Role in Reducing Crime

The general purpose of the CCTV is to prevent and reduce crime. In

theory, this happens because of one or more of these reasons:

1. Deterrence: potential burglars and thieves may see the camera and

decide that a store in question is too much of a risk and therefore

not a good target.

2. Prosecution: thieves and shoplifters may be caught on camera and

this can help catch and prosecute them.

3. Fear reduction: if everyone knows that there is a camera, they may

feel safer in or around your business, thus preventing potential

criminals from attacking.

4. Monitoring and intervention: if there is a security guard

monitoring the area through CCTV system, he or she may act on any

suspicious behavior and thus prevent a crime from occurring. Security

guards may also deploy employees to a suspicious spot or near a person

detected on the monitors.

Is CCTV effective in tackling crime?

A Home Office review of research found that CCTV was effective in

tackling vehicle crime in car parks but had limited effect on other

crimes and in other locations. Improved street lighting recorded

better results in a parallel study.

CCTV systems can be a valuable weapon in tackling crime in certain

situations; but we need clearer controls in law so that the data they

gather isn't misused to intrude on people's privacy or infringe their

rights. Despite its vast financial commitments to CCTV, this

Government has consistently failed to address this issue. There

remains no remotely adequate regulation of CCTV systems in law. The

danger of misuse of cameras and the pictures they take has been

illustrated ...

... middle of paper ...

...as opposed to

actual) efficacy of CCTV systems as crime prevention tools.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Brown, B. (1995) ‘CCTV in Town Centres: Three Case Studies’, Police

Research Group Crime Detection and Prevention Series Paper No.68.

London: HMSO.

Gilling, D. (1999) ‘Community Safety: a critique’, from the British

Criminology Conferences: Selected Proceedings, Volume 2.

Home Office (2000) CCTV initiative Application Prospectus, guidance

and form for the application of Home Office funding for CCTV schemes,

http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/cctvpros.htm

NACRO (2002) To CCTV or not to CCTV: a review of current research into

the effectiveness of CCTV

systems in reducing crime , Community Safety Practice Briefing, May.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_mobility/documents/pdf/dft_mobility_pdf_032765.pdf

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