CCTV

The Croydon public space CCTV system has 96 networked cameras, permanently installed in a range of locations across the borough:

• list of CCTV camera locations (PDF, 180.29KB)
• location map of CCTV cameras (PDF, 7.86MB)

We operate in strict accordance with the Surveillance Commissioner’s Code of Practice. All our cameras are deployed in support of an evidence-based need.

Our CCTV operations policy regulates the operation of Croydon council's public space closed circuit television (CCTV) systems operating within the borough and details how CCTV will be used by the council, employees, contractors, and accessed by law enforcement organisations.

CCTV operations policy (PDF, 460 KB)

We regularly analyse our camera usage and will decommission any cameras that do not contribute to the safety of the community. We are undertaking a major review of CCTV operations in the borough and have identified significant capital and growth funding to update the system.

Using our CCTV, we:

• report incidents to the emergency services
• provide evidence for use in criminal or civil proceedings
• help detect crime by working in partnership with the police and other enforcement agencies
• work with the police to disrupt potential incidents

CCTV recordings

Images are recorded 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Recordings are retained for 31 days unless a request is received to retain a particular piece of footage for a longer period.

Deployable cameras

We have also invested in 10 deployable cameras which can be easily moved between locations. These are more flexible and more responsive to emerging issues. Agencies such as the local police safer neighbourhood team, council teams and other partners can bid for a camera to be deployed in a certain location.

How to bid for a camera to be deployed

If you become aware of antisocial behaviour or criminal activity, inform your local police safer neighbourhood team or the council's antisocial behaviour team who will investigate the matter further. If they deem it necessary they will be able to apply for the installation of a deployable camera.

Applications are presented to the Joint Action Group (JAG). This is a monthly partnership problem-solving meeting which seeks to tackle location-based crime and disorder issues. Requests for CCTV have to be backed up with solid evidence demonstrating the scale of the issue and how CCTV will help resolve this. The group also look at crime statistics to evaluate the application.

Requests are then passed to the Intelligence Hub who will carry out an onsite survey, complete a data privacy impact assessment (DPIA) and agree requests against current deployments.

Read the latest data protection impact assessment

Staff body-worn cameras

Croydon council has a responsibility to, uphold community safety and environmental enforcement issues, investigate anti-social behaviour issues (ASB); to protect members of the public and their property, and prevent, detect and investigate crime. This often involves stopping and speaking to the public and officers recording information in their pocket books.

By using these cameras, officers are able to record exactly what happened, what was said and when, in an indisputable format. 

Croydon body-worn camera policy

Other CCTV systems

We are not responsible for private CCTV cameras. The Information Commissioner's Office has guidance on domestic CCTV.

Data protection

Information and images captured by our CCTV cameras are protected under the Data Protection Act 2018. In special circumstances, we will release them to the police, solicitors, statutory authorities with powers to prosecute (for example, Trading Standards). Recorded images are automatically erased after 31 days unless there is a requirement to keep them.

Requests for CCTV Images (for example from insurance companies)

If you have been involved in an incident (eg a road traffic collision) within the last 31 days in the London Borough of Croydon and wish to make a request, you should contact your insurance company or solicitor and inform them to make a request to Croydon council for those images. They can do this by filling out the CCTV footage request form and returning it to CCTV@croydon.gov.uk.

 

We deal directly with your insurance company or solicitor if it's a non-criminal traffic matter, or the police if it is a criminal-related offence, for which you must report to your local police station and obtain a crime reference number. We must be satisfied that the request is legitimate and genuine before any images can be released.

Subject access requests

Under the Data Protection Act 2018 you have the right to receive a copy of the information the council holds about you. A request for this information is called a subject access request.

Make a subject access request