FOI release

Licensing requirements for the use of CCTV

Updated 11 July 2024

Request

Question 1

Is an SIA public space surveillance (CCTV) licence required by an individual who already holds a door supervisor licence if:

• none of the cameras they manage are pan-tilt-zoom;
• all cameras belong to a private building or client;
• a handful of external non-pan-tilt-zoom cameras are focused on the perimeter but the majority are within the building;
• the individual will need to review recorded footage for investigation purposes;
• the individual does not download or move storage locations of recorded footage without a signed off data protection assessment from the footage owner?

Question 2

Under these circumstances, would an individual already holding a SIA door supervisor licence also need an SIA CCTV licence?

Question 3

I would also like to know if reviewing recorded footage of the inside of a private building (not public surveillance) is considered a ‘licensable activity’?

Question 4

If it is considered to be a licensable activity, would a CCTV licence be required or is a door supervisor licence sufficient?

Question 5

Would reviewing recorded footage that may identify persons within a private building, which has the appropriate CCTV signage, be considered a licensable activity and, if so, would a CCTV licence be required or would a door supervisor licence suffice?

Question 6

Finally, has anyone else or any organisation sought this clarification from you in the last 12 months?

Response

I can confirm that the SIA holds some of this information.

Questions 1 and 2

A CCTV licence is required if you are guarding a premises, property, or people by using any CCTV equipment to:

• watch members of the public or identify particular people
• guard against disorder or protect people from assault, which includes using CCTV to stop these things from happening or to provide information about them if they do happen

If you hold a door supervisor licence, a close protection licence, or a security guarding licence, then you are also covered for using CCTV equipment to identify a trespasser or protect property.

However, you will require a CCTV licence if your duties include using the CCTV equipment to guard against disorder or protect people from assault, including using CCTV to stop these things from happening or to provide information about these things to another person if they do happen.

Licensable activity is not determined by the type of cameras an individual uses, for example pan-tilt-zoom cameras.

For further information please see visit this page: Find out if you need an SIA licence and see this part: Licences that cover more than one job activity (licensing integration)

Questions 3 and 4

Please see the information provided above about what type of activities constitute licensable activity for the purposes of obtaining a SIA licence.

Question 5

For information on what counts as licensable activity, please see this part of our website: Job activities that need a licence (licensable activities). The licensable activities related to the public space surveillance licence are guarding premises, property, or people by using CCTV equipment to:

• watch members of the public or identify particular people
• guard against disorder or protect people from assault, which includes using CCTV to stop these things from happening or to provide information about them if they do happen

‘Property’ usually means objects that belong to a person or business.

‘Premises’ means buildings and/or land that belong to a person or business.

To see which licence is required, please refer to paragraphs 2 and 3 of the answer to question 1.

Question 6

We have received one FOI request about whether certain employees required a CCTV licence. You can see our response here: Nottingham Trams: CCTV and SIA licensing

[Ref: FOI 0506]