Just exactly how many CCTV cameras are in use?, The question always seems to have the same answer Options

[Doktor Jon]

There has been much debate over the years as to precisely how many CCTV cameras are actually in use here in the U.K. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Now journalist David Aaronovitch has carried out some more in depth probing as to the validity of our ubiquitous 4.2 million statistic in this Times comment piece - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/c...icle5834725.ece

Following on from this, Paul Lewis has also added to the discussion with a follow up story in yesterdays Guardian newspaper - http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/20...civil-liberties

So what is the real total? ... answers on a postcard please to ..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[vhs]

I am really suprised 4 millions of CCTV cameras. It is a lot!

Just wondering how many of these millions are placed wrongly?

I have seen a lot really bad placed cameras and have seen videos from cameras with wrongly selected lens.

I think it take some time of experimenting for cctv installers and designers to gain the experience.

For all novice CCTV installers I would recommend to use something like this 3D CCTV lens calculator or just to take a portable test monitor with a built in camera with selectable lens.

I guess wrongly placed (and wrongly choosen) cameras are the main reasons of low effectiveness of CCTV in fighting crime.

[Ilkie]

I am really suprised 4 millions of CCTV cameras. It is a lot!

Just wondering how many of these millions are placed wrongly?

I have seen a lot really bad placed cameras and have seen videos from cameras with wrongly selected lens.

I think it take some time of experimenting for cctv installers and designers to gain the experience.

For all novice CCTV installers I would recommend to use something like this 3D CCTV lens calculator or just to take a portable test monitor with a built in camera with selectable lens.

I guess wrongly placed (and wrongly choosen) cameras are the main reasons of low effectiveness of CCTV in fighting crime.

I can see where you are comming from with this. It is clear that many CCTV cameras are incorrectly installed/set up.

There are two main issues here

The first issue is that most CCTV systems are installed by unqualified individuals (typically electricians, intruder alarm installers, IT installers etc) let alone the growth in DIY CCTV! Not that the CCTV industry is perfect either, as most companies use staff that have no formal training or qualifications in the subject (notice I have not used the term engineer)

However a large amount of public space CCTV installed over the years was installed in Housing Estates for access control/door entry.

Providing images which would be considered to be suitable for use by the Criminal Justice System was never part of the operational requirement and at best should be considered 'reassurance CCTV'.

These systems have had little or no management and a maintenance service that has been purchased at the lowest cost with no regard to quality (something was is very much still part of the public procurement process).

To the most part there has been no consideration by the end user regarding renewal strategy either.

The second issue is the use of CCTV by the Police and Criminal Justice System. A lot of low level crime recorded on CCTV is given very little attention by the Police, regardless of quality of image.

There is so much of it about, and with the emphasis on community tasking of local police, very limited resources are allocated to retrevial and analysis of the vast amount CCTV evidence (from cameras, mobile phones etc) available.

CCTV should only be considered as part of the larger system which includes the deisgn/installation/maintenace/management of the kit, but also through the Police handling the images, the Criminal Justice System's use of video evidence, playing the images in Court (currently very contraversial) and very long term (many years) storage of evidential video images and the ability to play video on long defunct media (or software).

Now I shall get off of the soap box and giveone else a turn!

Ilkie

[Mr Jeff]

So what is the real total? ... answers on a postcard please to ..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

6-8 Million (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif)

[Doktor Jon]

6-8 Million (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif)

Is that all Mr Jeff .... ? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

I thought the most recent bit of questionable research put a moist fingered estimate of around three and a bit million into the public domain.

I do sometimes wonder who, or perhaps to be more accurate why, it is that so many peeps are so obsessed by an abstract number, which in the great scheme of things, doesn't actually mean that much.

Sorry I missed your posts Ilkie and vhs (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

We all recognise the reasons why so much 'CCTV' is working inefficiently, but the problem appears to be that it takes so long for obvious improvements to be put into practice.

I've no doubt that moves are afoot to raise standards as required by the National CCTV Strategy, but nobody ever said it would be a quick fix.

You'll be relieved to hear, I daren't get up on my soap box otherwise I'd be seriously tempted to throw myself off (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[CJTELECTRICAL]

Is that all Mr Jeff .... ? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

I thought the most recent bit of questionable research put a moist fingered estimate of around three and a bit million into the public domain.

I do sometimes wonder who, or perhaps to be more accurate why, it is that so many peeps are so obsessed by an abstract number, which in the great scheme of things, doesn't actually mean that much.

Sorry I missed your posts Ilkie and vhs (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

We all recognise the reasons why so much 'CCTV' is working inefficiently, but the problem appears to be that it takes so long for obvious improvements to be put into practice.

I've no doubt that moves are afoot to raise standards as required by the National CCTV Strategy, but nobody ever said it would be a quick fix.

You'll be relieved to hear, I daren't get up on my soap box otherwise I'd be seriously tempted to throw myself off (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

does the 6-8 million mr jeff suggested include our 8 on our home? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/eek.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Mr Jeff]

I know they didn't count the four in my car.

[Doktor Jon]

I know they didn't count the four in my car.

What's the odds they counted them twice Mr. Jeff ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I think you're fairly safe CJT, as the government never has been that clued up on residential CCTV.

Maybe they should spend some time on Google Streetview and work it out that way ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[CJTELECTRICAL]

What's the odds they counted them twice Mr. Jeff ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I think you're fairly safe CJT, as the government never has been that clued up on residential CCTV.

Maybe they should spend some time on Google Streetview and work it out that way ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

(IMG:http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii26/badger_2008/Image007-2.jpg) just so you can see we really do have 8 cameras (IMG:style_emoticons/default/eek.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[PeterW]

CTJ,

Get that ladder moved before you get burgled!!!!!!!!!!

[Doktor Jon]

Very well spotted PeterW (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

.... and a very warm welcome to the forum

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheers.gif)

D.J.