Many churches are now installing CCTV cameras at their properties, in order to deter potential intruders, anti-social behaviour and risk of theft and damage. Before installing CCTV equipment, you must ensure that you do the following:
- Put up a sign to let people know that CCTV is being used at the premises and the reason why;
- In most circumstances, you must be able to provide images within one calendar month to anyone that you have recorded;
- Share images with the authorities (Police etc) if requested to;
- Keep images only for as long as required;
- Pay a data protection fee to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) GOV.UK – ICO. The ICO has a useful CCTV checklist which helps you to ensure that you are complying with current data protection legislation: How compliant are you? Check now | ICO;
- Inform your insurance providers, especially if you are installing CCTV to replace any existing security measures.
It is also recommended that you use a reputable CCTV installer. Information on this can be found at the National Security Inspectorate or the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board. For further information please visit the Government’s website on CCTV guidance: GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and The Safer Places of Worship website: Home – Safer Places of Worship (spow.co.uk).
