CCTV

CCTV (closed circuit television) is used in Walsall to assist with the reduction of crime and the fear of crime through the operation and implementation of an efficient, effective and proactive CCTV service which provides best value for the borough.

The purposes for which images are recorded

To help reduce the fear of crime
To help deter crime
To help detect crime and provide evidential material for court proceedings.
To assist in the overall management of Walsall Borough.
To enhance community safety, assist in developing the economic well-being and encourage greater use of the facilities offered across the borough.
To assist the Council in its enforcement and regulatory functions within Walsall area.

Recorded images

The CCTV system operates 24 hours per day, every day of the year. All cameras are continuously recorded in multi-plexed time lapse mode. Additional recordings may be made of individual camera picture in 3 hour (real-time) mode.

All recordings are retained for a minimum of 28 days. If no legitimate request for retention of the recordings has been made it is erased. All requests for retention of recordings are considered against the provision of the Data Protection Act and the CCTV Code of Practice.

The storage, processing and use of recorded data obtained by the CCTV system is guided by the following general principle.

Recorded data will only be used by the proposes defined in the Code of Practice and in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
Access to recorded data shall only take place in the circumstances defined in the Code of Practice and the provisions relevant legislation.
Recorded data will not be sold or used for commercial purposes or the provision of entertainment.
The showing of recorded data to the public will only be permitted in accordance with the law in relation to the investigations.

Disclosure policy

Disclosure of data obtained by the CCTV system will only be permitted in accordance with the relevant legislation and the criteria contained within the CCTV Code of Practice.

In every case a written application in an approved format, clearly showing the reason(s) for the request is required.

The code lists third parties from whom requests to view data will be regarded as ‘primary requests’ and sets our circumstances in which such applications can be made.

Subject access

If you wish to exercise your rights of subject access as provided for in Section 7 of the Data Protection Act 1998 you will be required to make the request in writing on a standard subject access request form.

All requests for subject access will be dealt with by the CCTV manager or nominated deputy. A written response to the request will be provided within 21 days of receipt, either setting out the steps intended to be taken to comply with the request or setting out the reasons for refusing the request.

A fee may be levied for this service.

Code of practice

Full details of the principles and criteria under which this systems operates can be found in the CCTV Code of Practice which is available free of charge from main council offices or on application to the CCTV Manager.

The Information Commissioner publishes a Code Of Practice For CCTV

Contact us

For further information please contact:

The CCTV Manger
Walsall Council
PO Box 2117
Walsall
West Midlands
WS1 1GH

Telephone 01922 649921
Fax 01922 724695