What is this standard about?
BS 7958:2015 provides recommendations for the management and operation of CCTV within controlled environments where data – which might later be offered as evidence – is received, stored, reviewed or analysed.
Who is this standard for?
- Anybody responsible for the operation and management of a CCTV system
- Security trade association members
- Those with responsibility for town centre management
- In-house companies which have their own CCTV control room
- Local authorities
- Sporting associations
- Schools and hospitals
Why should you use this standard?
BS 7958 provides advice on CCTV schemes used in areas where the public has a ‘right to visit’. This ranges from places that are privately owned but where no boundary is perceived by the public, to roads, sports stadiums, housing estates, supermarkets and other areas offering a public service.
The standard covers the monitoring and management of public spaces and also gives recommendations on best practice that will help owners to obtain reliable information that can be used as evidence.
BS 7958 is also part of the best practice guidance for all local authority monitoring centres, police CCTV control rooms and all private industry CCTV control rooms.
What’s changed since the last update?
- The 2015 revision takes due regard of the introduction of the CCTV Code of Practice, issued by the Surveillance Camera Commissioner, and as required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This outlines 12 principles applicable to public space CCTV systems.
- The scope of the standard has also been expanded to include the operation and management of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and body worn cameras
