Based on data covering more than 2,000 secondary schools and academies, Big Brother Watch (BBW) warns that there are more than 100,000 CCTV cameras in secondary schools and academies across England, Wales and Scotland.
With some schools seeing a ratio of one camera for every five pupils, more than 200 schools using CCTV in bathrooms and changing rooms and more cameras inside school buildings as outside, according to the civil liberties body.
To put into context the number of cameras, BBW earlier this year suggested there are at least 51,600 CCTV cameras controlled by 428 local authorities.
The report, which you can download from the BBW website, claims that the Home Office’s proposed system of regulation for CCTV cameras is not fit for purpose, if the newly created position of Surveillance Camera Commissioner having no enforcement or inspection powers.
The campaigners say that the issue of cameras in schools has not been subject to any real public debate and call for a proper debate can now take place about not only how to regulate CCTV, but also why CCTV continues to increase when BBW says there is still no academic research that suggests it is having a positive impact.
BBW call in the report for:
The Home Office code of practice for CCTV cameras to apply to all publicly funded bodies
The Surveillance Camera Commissioner to have the power to enforce the Code of Practice and penalties for breaching the code must be available
The Government to commission an independent review of CCTV use in schools to explore the evidential basis upon which cameras have been installed. This should include ensuring any school using CCTV has appropriate policies in place so teachers and parents are fully aware of why surveillance is being used, when footage can be viewed and by who.
