The evolving 'state' of CCTV
Back in the '70s, CCTV cameras were rarely used in public places, given that their physical size, complexity and cost, meant their application was somewhat limited to commercial users, and very high security sites. As the technology became more stable and affordable, a wide range of users adopted systems to help secure their premises, until by the early '80s, we started to see the first signs of video surveillance being more widely deployed to help protect the public.
Initial funding from the then Conservative Government, started us off on a road towards what we now describe as Public Space Surveillance (PSS), with subsequent Labour administrations having put in place both policies and funding which have resulted in vast sums of money being spent on deploying local authority operated camera schemes, in most towns and cities across the country.
Unknown amount of CCTV in the UK
Nobody knows for sure how many CCTV cameras are actually in use around the U.K., but the often repeated statistic of 4.2 million units, was historically a figure based on a spirited academic guesstimate, that was questionable at the time, and remains a convenient talking point even though it's long since been discounted as fancifully inaccurate.
The curious situation now, is that we have a vast number of generally inefficient PSS cameras, that have been deployed on what I would routinely describe as 'lottery surveillance'. In order to fulfil an effective role as a deterrent to crime, the cameras need to consistantly demonstrate that they are suitable for assisting and resolving criminal investigations.
Unfortunately in the great scheme of things, most public space cameras only work at a very low level of efficiency, perhaps 2-5% on average, which means that in the majority of situations, it's highly unlikely that a CCTV Operator tasked with observing a system comprising possibly hundreds of cameras, will actually spot anything more than a very small proportion of actual crimes and anti social behaviour.
Whilst huge sums have been spent on installing the technology, hardly any money has been expended on proper research into the most appropriate methods and techniques for achieving the systems objectives, and to this day, no significant funds have ever been provided to train or educate those tasked with enabling and operating the systems.
The ironic aspect of the present day situation, is that whilst the majority of politicians at all levels have an almost unflinching faith in the technology and it's curative effects on crime, the fact's present a very different story.
Effective deterrent against crime
CCTV if correctly designed, deployed and operated, can provide the potential for effectively addressing a whole range of criminal activities. Until such time as a more holistic approach is taken towards using the technology, the inevitable consequence will be a growing lack of public support, particularly as many cash strapped local authorities are now waking up to the reality of funding what for many, has predictably become a resource consuming money pit.
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