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CCTV footage as evidence

CCTV can sometimes be used in court as evidence to prove someone was in a certain place or that they committed an offence.
CCTV can also help to improve community safety and prevent crime, by putting someone off committing a crime like robbery if they know their actions are being recorded.

• More information on CCTV, from the Metropolitan Police website Opens new window

How to request CCTV footage

You have the right to access images of yourself that may have been recorded by a CCTV camera system. This is because the Data Protection Act of 1998 means that public bodies like local councils need to make any personal data available to you if you request it. Personal data is information that relates to an individual and is held by the public body.

You will need to make a request in writing to the owner of the CCTV system. The details of the owner are usually written on a sign attached to the camera. You will need to give them enough information to identify you, for example a specific date and time, and a description of yourself and your clothing. They may charge you a fee of up to £10 for a copy of the footage.

If you contact a public body that holds CCTV footage of you, they must give you a copy of those images within 40 days. They may send you an edited version of the CCTV footage to protect the identities of other people shown in the footage.

Edited footage

The CCTV recording may be edited to make sure that you can’t see any other personal data that doesn’t relate to you, like:

•  a vehicle registration number that is not yours
• an unfair intrusion into the privacy of another person

Contact your local council for more information about how CCTV is used in your community, or see their CCTV code of practice for more about the use of CCTV cameras and the Data Protection Act.

• CCTV code of practice - Information Commissioner's Office Opens new window
• Find your local council