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Guidance

Surveillance camera code of practice: guidance for local authorities

Guidance for local authorities on the surveillance camera code of practice and what it means for surveillance camera systems or video surveillance systems that they operate.

From:
Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner
Published:
9 February 2016
Last updated:
25 August 2026 — See all updates

Documents

Surveillance camera code of practice: a guide for local authorities (accessible)

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Surveillance camera code of practice: a guide for local authorities

PDF, 228 KB, 12 pages

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Details

This document tells local authorities what they need to know about the surveillance camera code of practice and what it means for the surveillance camera systems or video surveillance systems (VSS) that are operated by their local authority.

These systems include:

  • CCTV
  • Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
  • body worn video (BWV)
  • unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV or drones)
  • vehicle-born video systems
  • use of facial recognition technologies

The document includes questions local authorities and officers can ask to check they are complying with the code.

You can also use the self assessment tool to assess how closely the local authority is complying with the code.

Updates to this page

Published 9 February 2016
Last updated 25 August 2026 Show all updates

  1. Updated the guidance for local authorities to reflect changes in operations and technologies.

  2. First published.

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