Havering Council's Cabinet has adopted a new policy governing the use of its CCTV and Body Worn Video (BWV) systems, aiming to enhance compliance with regulations and improve the administration of the council's surveillance technology functions. The policy, approved at a meeting on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, also aligns with the Surveillance Camera Commissioners Code of Practice and the Nolan Principles of transparency.
Councillor Barry Mugglestone, Cabinet Member for Environment, stated that the policy is primarily intended to ensure the lawful, proportionate, and effective use of surveillance technology. This aligns with the council's statutory duties under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Serious Violence Duty.
The new policy covers the deployment of CCTV monitored by Enforcement and Community Safety Teams, as well as the use of BWV by officers. The decision to deploy CCTV cameras is data-led, incorporating qualitative data from residents reporting anti-social behaviour (ASB) at specific times. Deployable cameras can be used temporarily in areas with high levels of fly-tipping or ASB to gather evidence. The Council also has access to 'nomad cameras' from the police for areas of high violence where there are gaps in camera coverage. For new housing developments, CCTV is considered as part of the planning process, with each development requiring a data protection impact assessment and clear controls on its use.
According to the report presented to the Cabinet, there are no direct financial implications arising from the adoption of this policy. However, failure to implement such a policy could lead to financial risks from potential legal challenges.
CCTV and BWV are considered vital tools to deter offending, provide evidence for investigations, and reduce the fear of crime. They support the police and other agencies in tackling issues such as knife crime, anti-social behaviour, and other forms of serious violence. Specifically mentioned offenses that CCTV can tackle include homicide, knife-enabled crime, firearms offences, grievous bodily harm (GBH) and other serious assaults, robbery where violence or threat of violence is used, domestic abuse (particularly where it involves serious injury or risk to life), sexual violence (rape, sexual assault), and child criminal exploitation (e.g., county lines drug trafficking involving coercion and violence). CCTV is also effective in deterring or detecting robberies, drug-related violence, ASB, assaults, and violence against women and girls (VAWG) within town centres.
An Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) conducted as part of the policy's development indicated a neutral effect across the borough. The policy is designed to support the council's broader community safety objectives. The policy will be published in line with the Council's own Data Protection Processing policy, the Surveillance Camera Commissioners Code of Practice and the Nolan Principles of transparency. The policy is also subject to an Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) which has been reviewed annually. For redeployable cameras, a data protection impact assessment is reviewed every time they are moved.
The adoption of this policy is part of Havering Council's commitment to a proactive, partnership-based approach to crime reduction, aiming to create safer communities through the responsible use of surveillance technology.
Agenda frontsheet 14th Jan 2026 CCTV Policy Cabinet report Jan 2026 Serious Violence Action Plan Jan 25 VAWG action plan