Trim 14/171123

CP – 49 Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Systems in Public Places

Community Planning Unit

16/12/2014 | Rev A

Page 1 of 4

The aim of this policy is to provide direction and guidance to Council and officers when

considering the introduction of a CCTV System in public places.

To outline the specific requirements in which the implementation of CCTV Systems

in public places may be considered;

To ensure any CCTV Systems in public places implemented are compliant with

relevant legislation and other statutory requirements.

This Policy does not apply to Council owned facilities as a separate operational

Policy (CCTV Policy for Protection of Council Assets) has been developed to

manage the use of CCTV Systems in the protection of Council’s physical assets from

theft and damage and contributing to the safety of Council’s staff, customers and

visitors.

CCTV is a surveillance system in which a number of cameras are connected through

a closed circuit. The footage taken by the cameras is sent to a television monitor or

recorder. CCTV systems consist of cameras, monitors, recorders, interconnecting

hardware and support infrastructure.

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Any place to which the public has access as of right or by invitation, whether express

or implied and whether or not a charge is made for admission to the place. A public

place can include, but is not limited to, public streets, public parks, public hospitals,

public transport, railway stations, platforms and carriages, trams, shopping centres,

sports and recreation centres or grounds, public schools, public halls, museums,

galleries, libraries, government buildings and office reception areas.

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An analytical tool used to redesign and modify the built environment to reduce

opportunities for crime. CPTED focuses on the effective design and use of the built

environment to reduce the incidence and fear of crime and improve quality of life.

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Council’s Role in Community Safety and Crime Prevention

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Victorian Ombudsman 2012, Closed Circuit Television in Public Places –Guidelines

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Department of Sustainability and Environment, Safer Design Guidelines

CP – 49 Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Systems in Public Places

Community Planning Unit

16/12/2014 | Rev A

Page 2 of 4

Community safety involves the whole community taking action to reduce and prevent

injuries to promote a safe and healthy community. This includes injury, crime and

violence prevention, harm minimisation and addressing the social determinants of

health.

Council plays a role in enhancing community safety through planning and regulation,

policy development, service delivery, advocacy, maintenance and design of public

places and through community engagement and partnerships.

Council considers CPTED principles in the design of public places and utilises a

range of strategies to reduce the opportunity for crime to occur including, activating

public space, providing safe movements and connections, lighting and providing well

maintained and attractive public spaces.

Council does not have the legislative power and it is not within Council’s role to

enforce or investigate crime.

Victoria Police are responsible for, and have the legislative power to enforce crime.

Council monitors its own facilities (assets) for the purpose of protecting the assets

from damage as per the CCTV Policy for Protection of Council Assets Policy.

As CCTV Systems are considered a tool in crime detection and prosecution

of offenders, implementation and management of CCTV Systems in public

places requires a whole of agency approach.

Council does support the use of CCTV Systems for the purpose of assisting

Victoria Police or other appropriate State Government organisations to

investigate and enforce crime, subject to the specific requirements outlined

in section 4.0 being met.

Council’s primary role in the implementation and management of CCTV

Systems in public places is to develop partnerships, community

engagement and advocacy. Council will consider becoming the asset

owner subject to specific requirements outlined in section 4.0 being met.

The CCTV System infrastructure eg. Cameras, cabling, data transfer

equipment, monitoring and data storage equipment, and installation costs are

fully funded by a partner agency such as Federal Government, State

Government.

: Council will fund the ongoing maintenance costs of the CCTV System

once installed and operational.

Council will act as the asset owner and manage external funding grants in

relation to the installation and maintenance of the CCTV System.

Victoria Police or other appropriate State Government organisation will

manage the operational aspects of the CCTV System including the

appropriate collection and storage of data, monitoring and day to day

operation.

CP – 49 Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Systems in Public Places

Community Planning Unit

16/12/2014 | Rev A

Page 3 of 4

The CCTV System is located in central activity districts only. The specific

sites for the surveillance cameras within these districts will be agreed by a

joint Council and Victoria Police Working Group.

The management of the CCTV System is appropriate and in accordance with

the Victorian Ombudsman’s Closed Circuit Television in Public Places

Guidelines in regards to appropriate CCTV use, collection, retention, security,

privacy, access, disclosure, storage, disposal, monitoring and evaluation.

The CCTV System is installed for lawful and proper purpose and in

accordance with legislative requirements (refer to Clause 4.2 below).

The CCTV System only includes fixed cameras and no portable cameras

(however, there may be scope to re-locate cameras to a more appropriate

fixed location).

Adequate care is taken so that that the CCTV System does not target

vulnerable groups or those accessing services.

This Policy will be supported by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between

Council and Victoria Police (or other appropriate State Government organisation) and

Standard Operating Procedures

•

Surveillance Devices Act 1999;

•

Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014;

•

Public Records Act 1973;

•

Private Security Act 2004;

•

Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (the Charter);

•

Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act);

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Evidence Act 2008;

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Commissioner for Law Enforcement Data Security Act 2005; and

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OH&S Act 2004.

A set of Policy Guidelines will be developed to assist with the implementation of the

CCTV Systems in Public Places Policy 2014 and approved by the Chief Executive

Officer.

Community Safety Framework and Action Plan 2012-2015

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Policy for the Protection of Council Assets

(Operational)

CP – 49 Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Systems in Public Places

Community Planning Unit

16/12/2014 | Rev A

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