CCTV and ANPR to get commissioner and code

Its newly published protection of freedoms bill includes a clause for the home secretary to appoint a commissioner and publish a statutory code of conduct for the use of both technologies. Local authorities and police forces will have to "have regard to the surveillance code", according to the bill, which may be cited in court or tribunals. However, individuals will not face civil or criminal charges for failing to follow it. The surveillance camera commissioner will be charged with "encouraging compliance with the surveillance camera code, reviewing the operation of the code, and providing advice about the code". He or she will also prepare an annual report for Parliament and the home secretary. The Home Office said that the code and commissioner would make the use of CCTV and ANPR more proportionate and effective. Home secretary Theresa May said: "I am bringing common sense back to public protection and freeing people to go about their daily lives without a fear that the state is monitoring them." However, information commissioner Christopher Graham expressed caution. "The current proposals on improved regulation of CCTV and ANPR are limited to the police and local government only, but their use is much more widespread. We will be examining all of the bill's provisions closely to be satisfied that they will deliver in practice." Freedoms bill extends FoI This article is published by Guardian Professional