A new scheme for Sussex Police Authority to independently monitor the usage of CCTV by Sussex Police has been launched today. Sussex Police Authority is leading the way by introducing this monitoring scheme for CCTV usage in Sussex and is proud to be the first in the country to introduce such a scheme.

The Authority is pioneering this new scheme and has launched today with 12 independent, fully trained and vetted volunteers managed by the Authority to perform this important public scrutiny role. These volunteers will visit each Police CCTV Monitoring Centre in Sussex once a month to monitor the usage of over 400 council-owned cameras across the county.

This scheme is the first of its kind in England and Wales and follows on from an identified need to provide an effective independent oversight of the public place CCTV that is managed by Sussex Police. The introduction of this scheme reflects the concern expressed at community engagement events and through general comment from the public, the Authority, therefore, felt that it was in the public interest to address this via visibly independent assessment of CCTV usage.

Chairman of Sussex Police Authority, Dr Laurie Bush, said of the scheme: "Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) has proved to be a useful tool to deter and detect crime. However, if misused, it can have a negative impact on public confidence. The Authority therefore feels it in the public interest to have an effective independent oversight of the CCTV that is managed by Sussex Police."

In approving the Independent CCTV Monitoring Scheme Sussex Police Authority is seeking to enhance public confidence in the Sussex Police CCTV system's integrity and transparency. The regular external scrutiny of the system will help to ensure that the use of public place CCTV is more widely accepted.

Lead Member for CCTV Godfrey Daniel said: "Monitoring CCTV footage is an important responsibility of the Police Authority on behalf of Sussex residents and it is vital that we ensure how CCTV is used and administered by Sussex Police. By doing this we hope to reassure the public that CCTV is an essential part of modern policing and that it and the police can be trusted to use it fairly, wisely and successfully in order to keep people safe and catch criminals."

Inspector Roger Fox, Sussex police's CCTV Manager said: "The efficient use of public space CCTV provides an invaluable tool to any officer investigating crime. However, this must always be set against a proper respect and appreciation of the rights of individuals to a private life. Human Rights and Data Protection legislation forms the backbone of our current CCTV codes of practice, and all our operators are trained to a high standard to abide by these principles. Nevertheless, it is important to have independent oversight of the system, and this new visitor scheme will greatly assist in ensuring compliance with those fundamental principles, and thereby increase public confidence."