What are your opinions on our town centres being plastered with CCTV cameras?

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I'm not so bothered about the ones on the streets - but its the ones in the pub toilets that really worry me

Wothout wanting to influence your opinions - I'd just like to point out that most drunks wont care if they're on camera and want to start on someone.

Cameras only help make a conviction IF a complaint is made

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

It bothers me insomuch as the UK accounts for 1% of the world's population and 20% of the installed CCTV. Why us? The Government's obsession on monitoring, measuring and control (even our emails are collected for the government) is getting out of hand and based on old style Socialism from the cold war era.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Not sure about the emails bit but you're right with their obsession on monitoring and control.

Answer 2

i thought it was the year 2009...turns out its more like 1984!

Answer 3

good idea...if crime is minimised as a result...great.

Answer 4

if todays youth was'nt all whacked out with the gangsta craze we would'nt need cctv now would we.

Answer 5

swings and roundabouts. they are needed these days with the thuggery that goes on and are probably a good thing for that reason
but it is creepy to feel that wherever you go, someone is watching you

Answer 6

I have no objection if it reduces crime rates.

It would be nicer if we had more policemen on the beat, rather than crowding around speed cameras.

Answer 7

good it may stop the week-end shenanigans

Answer 8

Everywhere throughout Perth Western Australia and suburbs, if it reduces crime, Y not!
As one other person said, we need more coppers on the beat, all the politicians are interested in is more general revenue making speed cameras that are always placed on a downhill stretch or where speed limits are suddenly reduced, of course though they are all black spots where the odd pig might be flying.

Answer 9

If you aren't doing anything wrong you should not be concerned. Given the crime rate in some cities it may be a good idea.

Answer 10

They seem to be a complete waste of time and money.

Crime has not fallen.
The pictures are so poor that ID is difficult.

Answer 11

Good idea, it helps stop crime. If you have nothing to hide then its not a problem.

Answer 12

BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU...

Answer 13

CCTV only seems to be used for prosecution in Court in the UK.


It is also only as good as the Operator in the control room in my experience.
To give an example of this I was recently stopped and searched by Warwickshire Police for carry an Dangerous weapon. This weapon was my umbrella.

No complaint with the Police, they were acting on information provided by the CCTV Control Room.

Interested to hear other stories or comments on this.

Answer 14

I have no objection whatsoever. They serve a purpose and it helps. I've seen burglaries stopped in stores because the security team acted fast, and many many people have been identified, caught, and jailed after their crimes (from theft to gbh to murder) were captured on camera. They may not protect us because a lot of it doesn't have someone watching constantly, but they definitely help catch wanted people.

Answer 15

I wouldn't mind if they actually worked properly. How many people have actually been convicted on evidence from a CCTV camera? Every time you see clips on the TV, they are all grey and grainy and not much use.