FOI release

BSCC-FOI-1425-HD: installation of a CCTV camera

Updated 12 September 2025

Office of the Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF

10 September 2025

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ biometrics-and-surveillance-camera-commissioner

To: [redacted]

Letter by email

Dear [redacted]

I write in response to an email received by our office on Wednesday 3rd September 2025 in which you stated:

“I am writing as I have serious concern about a CCTV camera that was installed outside my property… with no prior consultation or explanation… the camera is directly outside my upstairs bedrooms, and is clearly on a fixture that allows rotation… I am aware surveillance camera installation must comply with the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice, which requires:

• a clearly defined purpose,
• a pressing need,
• a legitimate aim that doesn’t infringe on human rights.

I believe this camera contravenes the last point and I fail to see how it complies with the first 2 points I write to FORMALLY MAKE A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST as regards the position relating to each of these three requirements with regard to the installation of this camera.

I have written both to Southwark Council and to TFL about this camera - and they both deny ownership of the camera…”

Your request has been handled as a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

While the government has recently appointed an interim Biometrics Commissioner and is actively recruiting a permanent Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner through open competition, only the Surveillance Camera Commissioner is a relevant public authority under the Act. Therefore, this response has been provided by the Office, rather than the Biometrics Commissioner.

We have searched our records and can confirm we do not hold the information you have requested.

The Office of the Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner does not hold information on the ownership or compliance status of individual CCTV cameras. We do not maintain a register of CCTV cameras deployed across England and Wales, and therefore cannot confirm whether the camera in question meets the requirements of the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice.

The Commissioner’s role is to encourage compliance with the Code among relevant authorities, such as police forces and local authorities. However, the office does not have regulatory or investigatory powers and cannot assess individual camera deployments.

If you are unable to identify the owner of the camera, and you are concerned that it may be capturing personal data (e.g. images of private property or individuals), you may wish to contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The ICO regulates data protection and privacy matters and provides guidance on the use of CCTV, including requirements for signage and the lawful processing of personal data.

If you are dissatisfied with this response, you may request an independent internal review of our handling of your request by submitting a complaint within two months to the address below, quoting reference BSCC-FOI-1425-HD. If you ask for an internal review, it would be helpful if you could say why you are dissatisfied with the response.

[redacted]
5 th Floor, 2 Ruskin Square
Broad Green
Croydon
CR0 2WF

e-mail: Sciencesupportfoi@homeoffice.gov.uk

As part of any internal review, our handling of your information request will be reassessed by staff who were not involved in providing you with this response. If you remain dissatisfied after this internal review, you have a right of complaint to the Information Commissioner as established by section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act.

Kind regards

Office of the Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner

Email: enquiries@obscc.org.uk