What do we all think about the use of CCTV in shops and supermarkets to combat thefts? What else can we do to tackle retail crime?

By SuzannahAtkey at 16:35 on 22/02/12

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Personally do not care about CCTV as long as safeguards are in place to prevent it being used for purposes other than detecting crime.
Worth remembering theft puts prices up for the rest of us. Also worth remembering that most retailers figures for stock theft will be much higher than reported retail crime figures as the retailers figures will include internal theft, theft in transit etc

By adjutator at 06:57 on 23/02/12
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I agree. I think most businesses would use it for the proper intentions though.

I wonder if some people would object to being captured on camera everywhere they go, but, if it is necessary to help combat crime then I guess that's a price the rest of us have to pay. Personally I don't mind it as got nothing to hide, but, I can imagine some wouldn't be happy with cameras watching their every move.

By SuzannahAtkey at 07:33 on 23/02/12
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I's the society we live in, we are always being watched....thanks to the minority who HAVE to be watched! It's a shame, but necessary.

By SB502011 at 07:35 on 23/02/12
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Meant 'it's' at the start of that sentence, not 'I's' ! Sorry!

By SB502011 at 07:36 on 23/02/12
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Whist I am not bothered about being on CCTV I am very far from being convinced that shops etc, in practice, observe the rules as to who has access to the recordings.

By adjutator at 08:11 on 23/02/12
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I can see the pro's and con's of CCTV.

Well, innocent until proven guilty is the bedrock of law in Europe and in England (Retford too!), you can have copies of recordings that contain your images, and the owners of CCTV have to assure you have the security of recorded images (The Data Protection Act 1998 provides you with important privacy rights).

You might not have anything to hide now, but when the CCTV system is abused by someone who has something against you (be it the state or an individual) you will be glad of your privacy rights, and remember CCTV covers public, not private spaces, so if you see them pointing in to private residences, be suspicious - don't give all your trust away without thinking twice.

By Wizz1976 at 11:47 on 23/02/12
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Do not worry I have read 1984. Just for the record some offences are "absolute" so you are presumed guilty not innocent.

By adjutator at 12:43 on 23/02/12
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For those who would prefer facts, rather than an ancient - fictional view - on modern civil liberties, this website might be useful, http://tinyurl.com/yhjejzu especially based on the cost-benefit ratio's to CCTV and the "feeling of security", rather than the view of it use as presented by those with vested interests.

http://tinyurl.com/yhjejzu

By Wizz1976 at 13:38 on 23/02/12
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Don't knock the whole concept of "big brother" in popular culture sprung from the book.

By adjutator at 13:54 on 23/02/12
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Lol, if you say so. What about Animal Farm... or his contemporary Aldus Huxley? and then, the thousands of authors that followed. 1984 isn't the sole fountain of "Big Brother", ancient greek philosophy covered the subject too. Granted it's popularised, but popularity of a fiction, it isn't law nor a reality. On the other hand, case-law, and the victimisation of innocent people is a reality.

By Wizz1976 at 14:06 on 23/02/12
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