According to Yorkshire-based CCTV.co.uk, registration is only £35 per year, yet housing providers are still failing to register their CCTV systems with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and risking fines of up to £500,000.
Jonathan Ratcliffe from CCTV.co.uk said, “Some housing providers think they can skip their Data Protection Act responsibilities. But the sad fact is that their lack of compliance will almost certainly come to light the moment they try to use camera footage for a prosecution, and that evidence could even be thrown out of court.
“When your system is ‘evidence-ready’, with well-serviced cameras in the right locations providing date-stamped footage, it’s almost impossible for a suspect to evade identification.
“It’s very simple. If you record images of people as part of your business activities, then you must register. And claiming ignorance of the law is no defence; we advise all of our commercial clients to get their registration in order before they even switch on their cameras.”
Ratcliffe said that in a society where we are recorded more than ever, the law exists to ensure that your legal day-to-day comings and goings remain private. He said, “CCTV is a beneficial tool for any company, but you have to play by the rules. So, if your business collects CCTV data, make sure you’re onside. Don’t think you can dodge the law.”
