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Cctv
Closed Circuit Television Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) are now widely seen as crucial tools in preventing crime and ensuring security (Gill and Spriggs, 2005:1). The cameras record images that are sent to a “monitor- recording device” for watching, reviewing and storage (ibid). CCTV is a “situational” technique which allows people to be remotely observed, thereby making it possible for law enforcement agents to effectively attend to distress calls (ibid). The use of CCTV as a situational crime prevention technique has increased over the years, with the number of cameras in the UK increasing from 100 in 1990 to 5,234 in 1994 (Armitage, 2002). According to Norris et al (2002:110), the number of CCTV cameras currently in use in the UK is estimated at 4.2m reflecting about 1 for every 14 of the population. Also, to reflect the growth experienced in the use of CCTV’s in the UK is the increase in the amount of money being spent which increased from £100m in 1990 to £381m in 1998 and an estimation of £1.1billion by 2008 (ibid). According to Ditton 2000:692, the increase in the number of CCTV’s currently in use may be attributed to the perceived idea that CCTV helps in reducing the “fear of crime” and “crime” itself. The closed circuit television system serves many functions and is used in both public and private settings although, it might also been seen as increasing recorded crime or displacing crime. However the increase in crime may be due to the effectiveness of the CCTV in detecting crimes that could otherwise have gone unnoticed. Also, the displacement of crime to areas without CCTV’s reveals it actually reduces crime and more CCTV’s are needed. This essay will argue that although the use of CCTV in public places could potentially jeopardize privacy, it has been highly effective in providing security by reducing the rate and fear of crime. Firstly, the aims of the CCTV will be discussed, followed by an analysis on the impact of CCTV on security. Also,


References: * Armitage, R., 2002. To CCTV or not to CCTV? A review of current research into the effectiveness of CCTV systems in reducing crime. [online] NACRO. Available at:< http://www.epic.org/privacy/surveillance/spotlight/0505/nacro02.pdf> [Accessed 15 July 2011]. * Ditton, J., 2000. Crime and the City: Public Attitudes towards Open-street CCTV in Glasgow. British Journal of Criminology [e-journal] 40 (4) Available through: Oxford Journals [Accessed 10 July 2011]. * Ditton, J. and Short, E., Yes, it works, no, it doesn 't: Comparing the effects of open street CCTV in two adjacent Scottish town centres. [online] Center for problem-oriented policing. Available at: < http://www.popcenter.org/library/crimeprevention/> [Accessed 19 July 2011] * Gill, M. and Spriggs, A., 2005. Assessing the impact of CCTV. [online] Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate. Available at < http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/ > [Accessed 20 July 2011]. * Hempel, L. and Topfer, E., 2004. CCTV in Europe: Final Report. [online] Urbaneye. Available at: < http://www.urbaneye.net/results/ue_wp15.pdf > [Accessed 11 July 2011]. * Huey, L., 2010. False security or greater social inclusion? Exploring perceptions of CCTV use in public and private spaces accessed by the homeless. The British Journal of Sociology [e-journal] 61 (1) Available through: Wiley Online Library < http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-4446.2009.01302.x/pdf> [Accessed 15 July 2011]. * Norris, C. McCahill, M. Wood, D., 2004. The Growth of CCTV: a global perspective on the international diffusion of video surveillance in publicly accessible space Surveillance & Society [online] 2 (2/3) Available at: <http://library.queensu.ca/ojs/index.php/surveillance-and-society/article/view/3369/3332> [Accessed 20 June 2011]. * Phillips, C., 1999. A Review of CCTV Evaluations: Crime Reduction effects and attitudes towards its use. [online] Center for problem-oriented policing. Available at: < http://www.popcenter.org/library/crimeprevention/> [Accessed 19 July 2011] * Welsh, B.C. and Farrington, D.P. eds., 2007. Preventing Crime: What Works for Children, Offenders, Victims and Places. [e-book] New York: Springer. Available through: Springerlink database < http://www.springerlink.com/content/978-0-387-69168-8/#section=334158&page=7&locus=32 > [Accessed 20 July 2011]
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