The pros and cons of CCTV surveillance in public places is one that has been raging for several decades now.
Most people are firmly for the technology when used in the right way. It helps people feel safe whilst out in public and has seen many criminals brought to justice who would otherwise have gotten away with their awful actions.
That said, some people feel that CCTV is going too far these days and has crossed the line between protection and privacy invasion.
In this article, we will look at both sides of the coin, examining all the key information.
Pros of public CCTV
CCTV reduces crime
There is no doubt about it, the statistics speak for themselves. CCTV installation leads to a reduced crime rate, AND an increased conviction rate for the crimes commited.
It is an invaluable tool used by the police and is often the key piece of evidence used in a court case.
CCTV protects innocent people
CCTV isn’t purely a tool for the conviction either, it can also clear the name of those who have been falsely accused of crime and has kept many people from being sent to jail for things they didn’t do.
CCTV protects businesses
The last thing we need as a society is for new businesses to be torn apart by criminal activity before they have the opportunity to get off the ground.
CCTV is a must-have on commercial sites these days and stops theft and vandalism from causing havoc every single day across the UK. Of course, crime will still occur every now and then, even on sites with CCTV in place, but it is still a powerful deterrent and can be used by the police to track down the culprit or to file for an insurance claim in retrospect anyway.
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Reduce Traffic Rate
City planners will often use CCTV to get an overview of traffic congestion and design a strategy to resolve it.
Cons of CCTV surveillance
CCTV can be abused
Unfortunately, anyone can buy and use CCTV cameras in the UK. There are strict rules around this use, CCTV cannot be hidden or installed in private places such as bathrooms, for example, but this doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen on rare occasions.
This is not an argument for banning CCTV, as cameras stop plenty of crimes taking place as well, but suggests that more checks should be introduced on their use.
CCTV is expensive
A very different argument a lack of public CCTV. Cameras cost money, and many believe that there are better uses for public money than installing them in every public place across the UK.
However, you have to factor in the influence that CCTV can have if you are going to make this argument. The money used for CCTV could go directly to police funds to help prevent crime, but would this be more effective than CCTV installation in doing so?