CCTV Cameras
Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.031646
I note you seek access to the following information:
1. Please provide the number of CCTV cameras there are under the MPS control (seperating body cameras to CCTV). A grand total for 2013 and a grand total for 2023.
2. Please provide a current list of locations, showing the camera type and lat/long (CSV format).
3. Please provide a yearly headline total spend the police allocates to new and existing CCTV cameras.
Decision
I have today decided to disclose some of the requested information. Some data has been withheld as it is exempt from disclosure and therefore this response serves as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) by virtue of the following exemptions:
Section 24(2) National Security
Section 31(3) Law Enforcement
Reason for decision
Section 24(2) - National Security - By confirming or denying that the MPS holds any information regarding covert surveillance and any relevant equipment for that purpose, would in itself disclose exempt information. Stating information is held would confirm usage and the opposite if there is no such information.
Although covert techniques are in the public domain, it is how and when they might be used, that are the sensitive issues for the MPS. These techniques could be deployed for more high profile sensitive operations.
By confirming or denying whether any information is held would render policing and security measures less effective. This would lead to the compromise of ongoing or future operations to protect the security or infra-structure of the UK and increase the risk of harm to the public.
Section 31(3) - Law Enforcement - Enabling criminal or malicious intent - It is imperative that where necessary the MPS has the ability to use technology which helps to prevent and detect crime. If the MPS were to specify the products we do and do not use to support us in undertaking law enforcement activity, this may undermine our ability to use those tactics and products in the future. This poses a question, would either confirming or denying that the MPS use CCTV for the purpose of covert policing. Let’s consider if the MPS were to receive a series of FOIA requests asking what products and services we use. If we were to confirm or deny if we use/used this equipment, it makes public the products and services we do use in covert policing.
This presents a real risk that via a mosaic effect our capabilities for intelligence collection, development and analysis can be undermined by providing such detail. This poses further questions, does the knowledge of these products further highlight police tactics? If so, does knowledge of such tactics affect aspects of law enforcement function in the future?
This leads me onto the next point. Arguably, knowledge of products and technology we use could highlight our tactics, which in turn could also equip those with malicious intent, to build up a picture of what we can and cannot do. This would not be in the public interest, as it could allow offenders knowledge to help evade law enforcement which would encourage more crime to take place, placing the public at an increased risk. If we consider this fact set in the context of the current threat level, both now and possible near future events of a geo-political nature, the confirmation or denial of the requested information could be negatively used and harmful.
Evaluation - You have sought ‘the number of CCTV cameras there are under the MPS control’. In conducting a public interest test I have presented two opposing arguments for and against confirming or denying whether any information is held in relation to your request. I have found that if the MPS were to confirm or deny whether any information is held this would make public whether the MPS use cameras for covert surveillance. This would reinforce the MPS’s commitment to transparency with the public and show how public funding is spent.
However, I believe these factors are outweighed by the compelling argument that to confirm or deny whether any information is held could undermine and compromise tactics and products in the future, irrespective of whether any information is held or not held. Importantly, this could also equip those with malicious intent, to build up a picture of what we can and cannot do, which directly harms the ability of the MPS to prevent and detect crime and apprehend and prosecute offenders. This is the primary function of the MPS and so would be highly detrimental and counterproductive to our aims. It is for this overriding factor that I have refused your request, and will not confirm or deny whether any information is held in relation to covert use of CCTV.
Disclosure
Q1 - Please provide the number of CCTV cameras there are under the MPS control (separating body cameras to CCTV). A grand total for 2013 and a grand total for 2023.
BWV
In 2013 there were some local BWV projects with small numbers of cameras. However, the Body Worn Video pilot started in April 2014. There were only 10 boroughs involved with approximately 300 cameras. The full roll out BWV cameras started in September 2016, when completed in 2017 there were 21,000 BWV cameras deployed across the MPS estate. In 2021 the MPS carried out a tech refresh and increased the number of BWV cameras to 26,500. In 2023 there were 26,500 cameras.
CCTV
Circa 4000 CCTV cameras providing coverage for estate CCTV. However, we do not keep hold or maintain information to allow periodic comparisons.
Q2 - Please provide a current list of locations, showing the camera type and lat/long (CSV format).
We do not hold the information that you require. We do not record the latitude/ longitude location of all cameras in use on the MPS estate. We do not record the exact types of cameras that we have in use at each site.
Q3 - Please provide a yearly headline total spend the police allocates to new and existing CCTV cameras.
We are unable to disaggregate down to the financial elements that only relate to the CCTV components within both planned projects and reactive maintenance, as these are enmeshed within larger electronic security systems costs and contracts, and are not recorded separately.