Discussion
A friend of mine runs a small backstreet mechanics workshop that is much better than it looks. He has had a bit of trouble from a pikey recently and a SatNav system got lifted from one of the cars on the road outside so he wants to a few cameras around so he can see whats going on.
He already has an internal camera - more as a gimmick than anything else - and the staff have no problem with this... However he also wants to put a couple of cameras outside (along with a proper recording system), 1 to watch the forecourt and one to watch the road outside. He would the end result to be sufficiently that if the BiB asked for the images then it might actually be of some use to them.
I have this feeling that there are issues with a camera pointing at the road outside his premises but is anyone here aware of what they may be?
Sean
He already has an internal camera - more as a gimmick than anything else - and the staff have no problem with this... However he also wants to put a couple of cameras outside (along with a proper recording system), 1 to watch the forecourt and one to watch the road outside. He would the end result to be sufficiently that if the BiB asked for the images then it might actually be of some use to them.
I have this feeling that there are issues with a camera pointing at the road outside his premises but is anyone here aware of what they may be?
Sean
The best thing he can do is speak to the local authority and gain permission from them, different areas have different protocols and make sure he has proof of any consent given, it means that if an issue is made of it by anyone at a later date then his own backside is covered.
In any case he'll have to put up clearly visible signs warning that the area is covered by CCTV which isn't a bad thing, quite often this is enough in itself to scare them into going elsewhere in search of an easier target.
In any case he'll have to put up clearly visible signs warning that the area is covered by CCTV which isn't a bad thing, quite often this is enough in itself to scare them into going elsewhere in search of an easier target.
Needs to comply with Data Protection Act 1998 in respect of CCTV. Check it out here - Streaky
G51CAV said:
The best thing he can do is speak to the local authority and gain permission from them, different areas have different protocols and make sure he has proof of any consent given, it means that if an issue is made of it by anyone at a later date then his own backside is covered.
Excellent advice. Further, have a chat with staff to see if they have any objections as well. There are some protocols in employment law about where you can point them. I don't know what these are but I do know that some firms have been forced to move theirs. However, if your employees are happy, then there's no problem.G51CAV said:
In any case he'll have to put up clearly visible signs warning that the area is covered by CCTV which isn't a bad thing, quite often this is enough in itself to scare them into going elsewhere in search of an easier target.
This does not deter the professional thief but works wonders with the casual opportunist. It also reassures and encourages customers. However, CCTV images are very little use for identification purposes unless they are close-ups and highly detailed. Defence solicitors have a whole arsenal of devious twists. My opinion is that Pan/Tilt/Zoom cameras are a waste of money but it is an advantage to have easily adjustable brackets. The other thing is not to tell anyone about the details of the arrangements you have. I used to run a police CCTV unit in Brighton for a couple of years. If I can be of any help, please feel free to PM me.
Derek Smith said:
G51CAV said:
The best thing he can do is speak to the local authority and gain permission from them, different areas have different protocols and make sure he has proof of any consent given, it means that if an issue is made of it by anyone at a later date then his own backside is covered.
Excellent advice. Further, have a chat with staff to see if they have any objections as well. There are some protocols in employment law about where you can point them. I don't know what these are but I do know that some firms have been forced to move theirs. However, if your employees are happy, then there's no problem.G51CAV said:
In any case he'll have to put up clearly visible signs warning that the area is covered by CCTV which isn't a bad thing, quite often this is enough in itself to scare them into going elsewhere in search of an easier target.
This does not deter the professional thief but works wonders with the casual opportunist. It also reassures and encourages customers. However, CCTV images are very little use for identification purposes unless they are close-ups and highly detailed. Defence solicitors have a whole arsenal of devious twists. My opinion is that Pan/Tilt/Zoom cameras are a waste of money but it is an advantage to have easily adjustable brackets. The other thing is not to tell anyone about the details of the arrangements you have. I used to run a police CCTV unit in Brighton for a couple of years. If I can be of any help, please feel free to PM me.
The staff do not mind the camera as he isn't monitoring them - he trusts his staff and its a friendly working envoironment. The major issue I can see is that he wants to monitor cars that are parked on the road as that is where they store customers cars during the day - that means he would end up monitoring the road and the pavements. He is looking at a hard disk recorder that can take the input from 4 cameras. Two of which would be night cameras with presumably infra-red illumination or equivalent - these would be used on his forecourt and the road outside...
Sean
Edited by NugentS on Sunday 18th November 11:00
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