Question:
79 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps, if any, he has taken to promote the use of CCTV to prevent crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11503/98]
Written Answers. - Closed Circuit Television Systems.
Question:
155 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will give details of the guidelines, if any, he has used in relation to the use of CCTV technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11623/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 155 together.
I understand that the Garda Síochána have in place a policy document, in the form of broad guidelines, covering the installation, management and operation of CCTV systems. However, I am informed that this policy applies only to systems installed in Garda stations and does not cover CCTV being used by commercial or community groups.
I understand that a training programme is currently being developed, at the Garda College in Templemore, to train prospective members in charge of the CCTV systems operated from Garda stations. This course will be full and comprehensive and guidelines for use by the Garda members as described, will be drafted and issued to them. These guidelines have not been finalised. The Garda authorities have informed me that there are no regulations in place governing the use of CCTV systems run by commercial groups. I understand from the Garda authorities that the National Crime Prevention Office is actively engaged in promoting the use of CCTV as a crime prevention technique. The cost of CCTV equipment has been greatly reduced in recent years and it is now not as cost prohibitive for small businesses and shops. The Garda authorities further report that feedback from investigators and the staff of the "Crimeline" identified the poor quality of recordings from CCTV systems. The injured parties with recordings of crimes did not appreciate the system's limitations or the system itself did not reach the injured parties expectations.
I also understand from the Garda authorities that the National Crime Prevention Office initiated a programme of training and information dissemination on the use of CCTV. This commenced in March 1996, with a seminar in the Garda College on operational requirements issued by the police scientific development branch of the home office. This procedure is aimed at encouraging clients when purchasing a CCTV system to identify what they require from the system. All personnel from the National Crime Prevention Office and the crime prevention officers from the divisions attended this seminar. The Garda authorities report that this seminar was followed up in October 1997, with a week long course for all crime prevention officers on all aspects of CCTV.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Crime Prevention Officers in the Garda Síochána are highly trained in the use and specification of CCTV. I understand from them that personnel from the National Crime Prevention Office have spoken on the subject to various groups including: (i) retail security managers at the "Threat of Terrorist Attack" Seminar; (ii) the National Association of Petrol Retailers; (iii) Forum for Computer Security; (iv) the Hardware Association; (v) the United States Overseas Security Advisory Council; (vi) the International Forum for University Chief Security Officers; (vii) the League of Credit Unions; and (viii) those involved in the transport of high value goods.
The Garda authorities further report that there are six crime prevention officers attached to the National Crime Prevention Office at Harcourt Square and there is one crime prevention officer attached to each Garda division. These members give advice on all aspects of crime prevention including intruder alarms, access control and operational requirement of a CCTV system. I understand that the use of CCTV is included in the Garda Síochána's publication "A Guide to Retail Security" which has been distributed to RGDATA, the Hardware Association and other retail organisations.
With regard to Garda CCTV systems the Deputy may already be aware that town centre CCTV systems have been installed in the Temple Bar and O'Connell Street areas of Dublin city centre. Work is currently in progress on cameras for Tralee town centre and is expected to be completed shortly. The Garda Commissioner has established an advisory group on CCTV comprising higher officers in the force and a representative from my Department to examine the future of Garda CCTV systems as an aid to policing. While their main objective is to evaluate the potential crime prevention capacity of each of the applications received, they are also required to evaluate each application from a technical and telecommunications perspective while also taking into consideration the level of finance available from my Department and from local business-community sources.
Having considered the recommendations of the advisory group I have drawn up a priority list of locations for the installation of Garda CCTV systems. They are as follows : — Bray, Cork, Dublin (South Central), Dundalk, Finglas and Limerick. Other locations will be added to the priority list in due course. However, I must emphasise that resources are limited and that the extension of Garda CCTV systems to other locations will depend on the level of commitment and support from local commercial-community interests for these systems. It has always been the policy of my Department to fund Garda CCTV systems on a shared basis with local commercial-community groups and I intend to maintain that policy for all future Garda CCTV systems.