Location: Community and Living » Crime Prevention » C.C.T.V.

C.C.T.V.

A Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) has been introduced at various locations within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. This section allows you to find out more about the system and what it has achieved as well as the responsibilities that are required in using such a system.

Background

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead's CCTV System has been in operation since 1996. The RBWM system currently consists of:

130 - RBWM Public Space CCTV cameras
100 - RBWM Car Park cameras
40 - West Berkshire Council Public space CCTV cameras

West Berkshire Council and Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead systems are monitored on a 24 hour / 7 days a week basis by Council employed staff in a purpose built control room. The system operates in accordance with a Code of Practice that complies with current legislation including the Human Rights and Data Protection Acts as well as the Regulation of Investigatory Authorities Act, which regulates how statutory authorities carry out surveillance. The Council also operates Community Radio schemes which compliment the CCTV systems in both areas.

Unless required as part of a criminal investigation, all images are retained for a maximum of 31 days before being overwritten. Access to images and equipment is strictly controlled, with images only shared with the Police and other law enforcement agencies.

Aims and Objectives

To deter crime
To assist in the detection of crime
To reduce the fear of crime
To improve public protection
To improve the safety and security of residents, visitors and the business community who use the facilities within the areas covered
To facilitate the apprehension and prosecution of offenders in both criminal and public order offences
To discourage anti-social behaviour including alcohol and drug related issues
To deter vandalism
To assist the Council in monitoring and managing its assets and areas of responsibility
To enhance the environment and thereby improve the enjoyment of the Royal Borough's facilities by all who use them

Links

Thames Valley Police
The Home Office
The Information Commissioner
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)
West Berks Council CCTV
CCTV User Group

Contacts

Emergency Control Room Services Manager
Tinkers Lane
Windsor
Berkshire SL4 4LR
Tel: 01628 796861

If your enquiry is in regards to a Car Park CCTV Camera, please contact:
Parking Services
Tinkers Lane
Windsor
Berkshire SL4 4LR
Tel: 01628 683800

System Effectiveness

The CCTV Code of Practice (Revised Edition 2008) issued under the Data Protection Act by the Information Commisioner recommends that there should be a periodic review (at least annually) of the system's effectiveness. In accordance with this, The Royal Borough undertakes an assessment of its scheme at the end of each operating year to evaluate its effectiveness of the stated purpose of the scheme.

The CCTV control room is also subject to periodic internal audits to ensure that its operation complies with legislation, its own Code of Practice and operating procedures.

Report into Effectiveness of RBWM CCTV (pdf 24.1kb)

Code of Practice

The Borough has a Code of Practice for the use of CCTV available to download below. Hard copies can be provided by contacting the Control Room at the address below.

Under the Private Security Industry Act all contracted CCTV operators are required to obtain licences from the Security Industry Authority in order to operate CCTV in Public Space Surveillance. All those working within the CCTV Control Room are licenced operators.

CCTV Code of Practice

Camera Location Maps

Windsor and Eton

Maidenhead and Cookham

Datchet and Ascot

Newbury

Thatcham and Hungerford