CCTV code of practice and the Data Protection Act

It is a criminal offence to have an unregistered CCTV system that records people in a public or a private place (although some conditons may apply).  This page outlines the requirements of the Data Protection Act and links you to the full code of practice.

CCTV – General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA18)

If your business uses CCTV, you should register your details with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), you must tell people they may be recorded, usually by displaying signs, which must be clearly visible and readable,  control who can see the recordings, ensuring the system is only used for the purpose it was intended for – for example, if it was set up to detect crime, you should not use it to monitor how much work your staff do.

If CCTV is installed on private domestic property and it only captures images within the boundary of the private domestic property (including your garden), then the data protection laws will not apply.

If the CCTV system captures images of people outside the boundary of your private domestic property – for example, neighbour’s homes or gardens, shared spaces, or on a public footpath or a street, then the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA18) will apply to you, and you will need to ensure your use of CCTV complies with these laws. This guidance refers to them as the data protection laws.

Regardless of whether your use of CCTV falls within the data protection laws, the ICO recommends you use it responsibly to protect the privacy of others.

Useful links:

ico.org.uk/media/for-organisations/documents/1542/cctv-code-of-practice.pdf

ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/domestic-cctv-systems-guidance-for-people-using-cctv/

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  • Mr M Sxxxxxxxxxxx Waterlooville, Hampshire

    Polite attitude of your technician, minimum disruption.

  • Mr & Mrs S Sxxxxx Woking, Surrey

    The engineers were excellent, hard-working, efficient and pleasant, and did a great job. They explained everything thoroughly. They were tidy and left the house as they found it.

  • Mrs P Wxxx Waterlooville, Hampshire

    One employee was the one who liaised with me every time I rang, rather than being passed from pillar to post.

  • Mr D Gxxxxx Cosham, Hampshire

    Friendly, helpful and accommodating.

  • J M Sewell Chichester, West Sussex

    CIA is well run and the equipment installed is always first class.

  • LSI Projects Ltd Woking, Surrey

    Both your system designer and your technician were very helpful and understanding, explaining all the necessary details.

  • Mr Lockton – Rowlands Castle, Hampshire

    Prompt service, helpful technicians, no attempt to sell us a ‘modernised’ alarm system.

  • Mr E A**** – Southampton, Hampshire

    …a perfect example of first class customer service. Gareth & Chris went the extra mile to install the system as we wanted it – not as might have been easiest, and were always polite and considerate… As always, it’s the people that matter – very pleased.

  • Mr Johnstone, Priory School Southsea, Hampshire

    Another great job – Many thanks.

  • Mr R Cecil Waterlooville, Hampshire

    Appointment change was easy – Engineer was very helpful – Good Service

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