SCC/FOI/01/18/DB: Information on the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice
Published 5 March 2021
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Our reference: SCC/FOI/01/18/DB
Published 14 May 2018
Freedom of information request regarding information on the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice
Dear
I write in response to three emails received from you to my offices on 1st May 2018 in which you ask for information relevant to my role. Your request has been handled as a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
There were specific areas in respect of which you sought information and for ease of reference I have endeavoured to respond in a similar manner to the specific points you raised below.
1. How many security cameras are there in the UK?
I do not retain records or otherwise hold this information. I do occasionally make reference to open source and informed bodies of work by third parties which allude to this information.
2. How many breaches of the Secretary of State’s Surveillance Camera Code of Practice have been reported to the SCC in each of the last three years?
There is no requirement for a relevant authority to report a ‘breach of the code’. I do not have any powers of inspection, audit or sanction. I have had no instances of a breach of the code being reported to me. The concept of a ‘breach’ and a duty to report does however apply to new data protection legislation which is soon to be enshrined in law. Data protection legislation is separately regulated by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and not by my offices.
Relevant authorities as defined at Section 33(5) Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 either have regard to the Code pursuant of Section 33(1) Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 or they do not. Where a relevant authority does not have regard to the Code there is no requirement to declare this to me. The implications for a relevant authority that does not have regard for the Code is set out at Sections 33(2) 33(3) and 33(4) Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.
3. How many breaches of the Secretary of State’s Surveillance Camera Code of Practice have been reported to the SCC with respect to public bodies in each of the last three years.
Please see answer to 1.
4. In relation to the answers to c) please break these breaches down in as much detail as you have recorded? Ideally, if it doesn’t start pushing cost limits it would be useful to know
Please see answer to 2.
5. Which public bodies have been reported for breaches?
Please see answer to 2.
6. How many at each and a list of the reasons for the breaches?
Please see answer to 2.
7. How many reported breaches of the Secretary of State’s Surveillance Camera Code of Practice concern the use of drones? Please list them in as much detail as possible – for example place, time, nature of breach or reason for breach
Please see answer to 2.
8. The names of the five highest paid directors and members of staff at the organisation
As an independent regulator of surveillance camera systems I stand alone and have no directors. I am supported by a team of four Home Office staff. You may consider a separate request to be made to the Home Office under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act should you require information regarding matters relevant to Home Office staff.
9. Their salaries.
My annual salary £51,924 to work the equivalent of 150 working days per annum.
10. Any additional benefits or pensions they receive
I do not receive any benefit in kind, I have no long term or any other form of performance pay or bonus nor do I receive any pension related benefits from my role. I am able to claim recompense for expenditure arising from travel, subsistence and accommodation arising from my responsibilities.
I hope that this information satisfies your request. 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 SCC/FOI/01/18/DB. If you ask for an internal review, it would be helpful if you could say why you are dissatisfied with the response.
As part of any internal review the Commissioner’s handling of your information request will be reassessed by staff that were not involved in providing you with this response. If you remain dissatisfied after this internal review, you would have a right of complaint to the Information Commissioner as established by section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act.