Submitting footage to the MPS

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.022954

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. I work for a retailer that regularly has to provide footage to the Police and I would like to check whether you accept the AVI filetype for footage (with metadata included)?

2. And whether AVI files can also be used in court if required?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Yes, we do accept footage in an AVI format assuming that this is the native recording format of the CCTV system. We do not accept footage that has been converted from other formats into AVI files, as we require material that is as close to the original recording format as possible. This is to avoid any quality or metadata losses. If the AVI file requires an accompanying proprietary player, then this should also be provided along with the AVI files. CCTV AVI files are perfectly acceptable and suitable for use in investigations.

AVI files are not played in court as standard in their received format. All native format CCTV that is to be shown in court is processed into a standard ‘court ready’ MP4 file format. This is to ensure consistency of replay through the court systems. This is not particular to the AVI format, but rather a procedural choice to convert all footage.