In October 2012, the first-ever Surveillance Camera Commissioner Andrew Rennison was splashed on the front page of The Independent newspaper with the headline “New HD CCTV puts human rights at risk”.
The lead story went on to detail the stark warning that “Big Brother Britain has arrived unnoticed” and how the increasing sophistication in technological advances left Britain close to breaching its own human rights laws.
Was the situation really as bleak as the recently-appointed watchdog chief made out? Were the calls of public outcry across the United Kingdom justified? Or was it a case of media-manipulation, purporting a non-existent climate of fear?
In an exclusive interview with SecurityNewsDesk’s Editor Tom Reeve, Mr Rennison discusses that article, the issues contained within, and his continued concerns about surveillance regulation as a whole in the UK.
This includes a call for further debate into the regulation of the estimated 1.85 million CCTV cameras in operation around the UK and an appeal for increased transparency to ensure the public are aware of where and when they are being watched.
In the interview, Mr Rennison reveals his concerns for the future of the industry and what needs to be implemented in a “very clear” CCTV code of practice, as he battles to ensure surveillance camera systems are used in the best interests of the public.
The controversial Project Champion, council honesty up and down Britain, and fears of a “public backlash” are all laid on the table as the Surveillance Camera Commissioner paints his vision for the future of the industry.
Read the full interview in the next issue of CCTV Image.
