NSW Police Force launches state-wide CCTV register to bolster criminal investigations
Release date: 18 February 2008
11:00
The NSW Police Force is urging the state’s businesses to register details of their Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems, which could be used in the fight against crime.
The owners of large and small businesses who have installed CCTV cameras in customer areas and/or outside their premises are now being encouraged to register their details – which will be kept securely on a central database.
The information will be used by police to map CCTV locations across New South Wales, allowing officers to contact business owners and source vision for investigative purposes without unnecessary delays.
CCTV systems are widely used in places such as commercial premises, automatic teller machine sites, airports, shopping centres, and on public transport for the prevention of crime and safety of members of the community; however, until now there has not been a central database which police can use to track down footage that might prove beneficial to their investigation.
The value of CCTV imagery was illustrated during the investigations into the London terrorist bombings in July 2005. Not only were local police able to use CCTV imagery to identify potential suspects, they were also able to create a visual history of the terrorists’ activities and movements immediately prior to the attacks.
Head of the Operational Communications and Information Command, Assistant Commissioner Bob Waites, is urging business owners across the state to get behind the new initiative and register online.
“Once up and running, this register will be a crucial investigative tool for the state’s police officers,” Assistant Commissioner Waites said.
“They will be able to quickly identify whether there is a CCTV system installed in or around the area where an offence has occurred and, if so, source the vision as part of their inquiries.
“CCTV is also a great crime prevention tool with criminals less likely to commit offences in areas being monitored by security cameras,” he said.
“The benefits of CCTV don’t stop there. CCTV can be crucial in identifying offenders and solving crimes, and also serves an important evidentiary purpose.”
NSW business owners can register details of their CCTV systems at: www.police.nsw.gov.au/cctv_register
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NSW Police Force