Our Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) service is designed to make Harrow a safer place to live, work and visit. The Council has effective and reliable CCTV coverage.
We also use CCTV cameras to enforce traffic violations such as:
- driving in bus lanes
- stopping on a yellow box junction
- performing a prohibited turn
- stopping in bus stops and keep clear markings near schools
- restricted access
We operate our CCTV systems in accordance with the surveillance code of practice and the London borough of Harrow VSS and surveillance camera policy.
The Council uses VSS and surveillance system images for the prevention and detection of crime, public safety, anti-social behaviour (ASB), moving traffic enforcement, to monitor the Council’s buildings in order to provide a safe and secure environment for staff, volunteers, contractors, and visitors, and to prevent the loss of or damage to the Council’s contents and property
CCTV monitoring
There are different types of systems available on land managed by us:
- CCTV in or around areas we manage, such as council housing estates
- CCTV in public places
- Temporary or permanent CCTV
There are approximately 312 cameras (with 689 lens) on highways and in other public places. They are primarily used to help with people’s safety and security.
Recordings are kept for 30 days before deleting them.
How are camera locations chosen?
Cameras are placed in selected areas, informed by crime data and statistics.
Temporary (rapid deployable) CCTV locations
The council has several temporary cameras which can be used for short periods to deal with anti-social behaviour, fly tipping and crime. Decisions on where these cameras are placed are made based on the number of reported incidents.
Permanent CCTV locations
We install permanent CCTV:
- in our housing estates to assist with solving long term issues. We typically work closely with the estate’s tenants and residents association to identify issues
- in other public spaces in response to long-term issues including violence, drug dealing, pickpocketing, etc
- on routes to and from those areas, to pursue criminals after they have committed offences.
When we’re looking into installing CCTV, we use evidence from:
- Police
- Retailers
- Nighttime business groups
- Housing associations
- Council services
Reviewing the borough as a whole, we focus on the areas with the greatest need, where CCTV is likely to make the biggest difference.
Requests for images
There are limited circumstances in which we can provide camera images.
Traffic Penalty Charge Notices
For more information on how to view CCTV footage in relation to PCN, see Challenge a PCN.
Traffic accidents & criminal/civil claims
For investigations of criminal offence, access can only be given to the police. The police have a direct process with the council to review footage in the event of a criminal investigation.
For non-criminal legal matters we can only consider requests from insurance companies and solicitors. If you are an insurance company or solicitor, please email cctvroom@harrow.gov.uk
Subject access requests
We can release CCTV footage only if it’s part of a Subject Access Request. Third parties will be identifiable only with their consent.
To make a request see Subject access requests
The London Safety Camera Partnership
The London Safety Camera Partnership runs a camera safety program. Its aim is to:
- reduce speed
- reduce red light running
- prevent road crash casualties.
These cameras are often yellow and are seen at junctions or on busy or fast moving roads. The locations of these cameras are reviewed often.
You can see them on the TfL map of London. These are not managed by London Borough of Harrow.
Annual Review
The London Borough of Harrow undertake an annual review of CCTV performance. The current document can be found here.