Police to use Database of Cameras in Crime Fight

February 18, 2008: The NSW Police Force is preparing the launch a CCTV register today, pooling information from indoor and outdoor CCTV cameras into a central database for access by police across the state.

Police say the ‘CCTV Register’ will assist them in accessing the locations and details of CCTV cameras if an incident occurs in nearby areas. By recording the locations of camera systems and related information across the state, police says ‘a picture says a thousand words’ with the data providing evidence of crimes.

Citing the CCTV footage from the London terrorists attacks in July 2005, Police say CCTV footage can often be the integral tool in an investigation, but knowing just where cameras are located is currently a problem in NSW.

While CCTV cameras can commonly be found around banks, shops, public transport and other premises, there’s currently no centralised information on just where these cameras are located.

Police are calling businesses owning and operating a CCTV system to register their information and locations for inclusion in the database. As registration is voluntary, Police claim the details can be removed at anytime through notification in writing.

.

The data on camera locations will be stored in the secure database owned and operated by the NSW Police Forces. In an online statement Police say only authorise officers will be able to access the Register for law enforcement purposes and the information will not be available for third parties.

Britain’s ability to track terrorist suspects in 2005 was also aided by the fact Britain is known to have a significantly higher portion of CCTV cameras to population that Australia. Britain’s Privacy watchdog has repeatedly reiterated claims that although surveillance my have it’s benefits, it’s becoming more than pervasive.

The Assistant Commission for the NSW Police Force, Bob Waites, will unveil the plan in a ceremony in Sydney today

Comment on this story.