Council approves sound-recording CCTV to tackle antisocial behaviour

Uttlesford District Council has passed a new CCTV policy which includes the potential for audio surveillance - but is accused of ‘bringing Orwell’s Big Brother to Essex’

CCTV is used by most councils across the UK - in Uttlesford, the council could introduce audio recording devices (AFP via Getty Images)

A borough council has passed a policy that will allow it to install security cameras that can record sound in a bid to tackle antisocial behavior.

The move by Uttlesford District Council in Essex could see audio surveillance introduced to CCTV on council-owned or managed residential buildings and gardens, as well as offices and vehicles.

The sound-recording devices form part of the council’s objectives to deter antisocial behavior and catch criminals.

A council spokesperson told The Independent there were not yet plans in place for such a device, but that the policy, passed by the council’s cabinet last week, allowed it to do so in the future.

But a spokesperson for campaign group Big Brother Watch criticised the council, claiming it had voted to “bring Orwell’s Big Brother to Essex”.

They added: “Rather than make residents feel safer, this will make many feel like someone is looking over their shoulder. The council should do more to protect residents’ right to privacy and rethink these intrusive plans.”

The council’s newly-implemented CCTV policy states that audio surveillance would not be used for general observation.

Signs would be put up to make clear whena recording is taking place, though the devices could be hidden in covery operations.

And before installing new cameras in housing estates or communal areas, residents would be written to, the council’s policy said.

Audio, like images, would be held for 31 days unless it was needed for an ongoing antisocial behaviour case.

Speaking at the cabinet meeting when the policy was passed, councillor Neil Reeve said: “This is for CCTV cameras on our own facilities including in relation to our housing stock and I think that is very sound, and the policies within that are very sound and I support those.

He added: “For what this is, I think it is fit for purpose.”

The council states within its CCTV policy: “Our intention is to balance the privacy rights of individuals with our responsibilities to prevent and detect crime and/or anti-social behaviour.

“We will ensure the use of CCTV is proportionate to the impact of crime and anti-social behaviour individuals and communities.”