This petition has been reviewed and the following response has been offered:
Thank you for your petition. In line with the Council's process for responding to petitions, as it did not meet the threshold for debate at either Council or Committee, it has been considered by the Head of Health & Community Protection and the Portfolio Holder. Their response to this is as follows.
Any camera installation in public spaces needs to be compliant with various guidance and regulations such as the Data Protection Act 2018, Human Rights Acts 1998 and the Surveillance Camera commissioners (SCC) 12 Guiding Principles. The purpose for this guidance is to ensure that individuals and wider communities have confidence that surveillance cameras have been deployed to protect and support them and are in no way intrusive. The decision to use any surveillance camera technology must, therefore, be consistent with a legitimate aim and a pressing need as acknowledged in the SCC 12 Guiding Principles. Such a legitimate aim and pressing need must be articulated clearly and documented as the stated purpose for any deployment.
In assessing whether a camera will meet its objectives and pressing need, consideration must be given to national security, public safety, the economic well-being of the country, the prevention and detection of crime, the protection of health or morals, or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. The authority must take into account what benefits can be gained by installing CCTV, whether better solutions exist and where appropriate have been actioned and what effect the install may it have on individuals.
Having liaised with Warwickshire Police, there are is currently insufficient crime statistics to support or identify a pressing need for a camera/s in the location of Fallow Hill Car Park.
However, you may be aware of a trial of 3 mobile cameras that are currently situated in the Sydenham estate to tackle the issue of fly tipping, anti-social behaviour, crime & disorder. The impact and effectiveness the cameras have had on the area during the trial is due to be reviewed with colleagues in Environment & Operations, your ward Councillors and Warwickshire Police. Once this review is conducted the evidence will be measured and evaluated against the guidance and any plans for a permanent install considered