CCTV Operations in Tameside

The Tameside Council CCTV Control Room is working round the clock to ensure our services are delivered 24hrs per day, 7 days per week, 365 days of the year.

The system is the property of the Council, and authorised management is by officers of the Council’s Operations and Neighbourhoods Services.

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) is designed to take measures to prevent and detect street crime such as assault, vehicle theft, drugs offences etc.

The primary objectives of CCTV in Tameside are to:

• Help to reduce the fear of crime
• Help to detect and deter crime
• Enhance community safety
• Discourage anti-social behaviour, including drug and alcohol related issues.

We will ensure that cameras are located to capture images relating directly to the purposes of the CCTV system, and ensure that there is clear signage indicating where cameras are in place and the reason why.

In addition, we also are connected to a Radio Link system in all of the towns which is supported by CCTV coverage. This has assisted operators in the tracking of known criminals, and the two way flow of information and intelligence between CCTV operators, retailers, the Police and Town Security has resulted in a highly effective network of key players in the fight against crime and disorder.

Tameside’s CCTV Code of Practice and Privacy

Tameside Council is required by our Code of Practice, based on advice from the Information Commissioner , to record any significant incidents monitored and recorded by the system. 'Significant' incidents include those where operators are confident or strongly suspect that a crime is being committed and that the police should be alerted, or that one of the other emergency services needs to be contacted (for example a fire or a person appearing to need medical attention).

The Service is committed to ensuring that the CCTV system provides protection to the public and supports the work of the Police by providing evidence and intelligence to aid prosecutions. We are also determined to ensure that the civil liberties and human rights of its citizens and visitors to the Borough are not infringed upon by improper use of CCTV.

The CCTV Code of Practice that the Council has adopted contains clear guidelines on how the system should be operated and what constitutes improper use.

The CCTV service is operated within applicable law, and only for the purpose of reducing crime and disorder for which it is established, or purposes which are subsequently agreed in accordance with the Code of Practice.

Who can request CCTV footage?

We're only able to release CCTV footage under certain circumstances:

• Members of the public can request footage of themselves. This will be handled as a Subject Access Request.
• The police can request footage when they're investigating an incident under the Data Protection Act 2018.
• Insurance companies and solicitors can request footage when they're investigating an insurance claim under the Data Protection Act 2018.

Request CCTV footage of yourself

You can only request CCTV footage of yourself.

We can't release footage of other people, third parties or images that could lead to the identification of others. We also can't release footage if we're restricted by legislation or if it would prejudice the prevention and detection of crime or the prosecution of offenders.

To request CCTV footage, please complete and return a subject access request form.

If you require access to personal data under the Data Protection Act 1998, there are procedures under which you can request this information. Please see CCTV Code of Practice for further details.

CCTV footage requests from the police

CCTV footage can be requested by the police when investigating incidents.

If you've been the victim of a crime, or in a crime-related incident, you should report it to the police by calling either 999 in an emergency or 101 in a non-emergency. The police can make a request direct to us to retain or view the footage.

If you've been involved in a car collision or incident with police involvement, and you have a crime reference number, you should contact the police directly to request CCTV footage from us. If you ask us for footage, you will just be advised to contact the police.

Requests for CCTV Footage by Insurance Companies or Solicitors

We accept requests for CCTV footage from insurance companies and legal representatives where the request meets the requirements of Schedule 2, Part 1(5) of the Data Protection Act 2018.

This legal exemption allows public authorities to disclose personal data where doing so is necessary for:

• Legal proceedings (including prospective proceedings)
• Obtaining legal advice
• Establishing, exercising or defending legal rights

Important information

• These requests are not classed as Subject Access Requests (SARs).
• We cannot release footage that identifies third parties unless a lawful exemption applies.
• Requests must include accurate timings (within 1 hour) and exact location to avoid system-wide searches. 
• Footage is normally held for 31 days, so submit requests promptly.
• We do not process speculative requests or broad searches. 

Request CCTV footage

How we use your information in CCTV footage

You can find more information about how we use CCTV in our privacy notice

Cameras in the Tameside Borough

There are numerous CCTV cameras located throughout the borough along main roads, shopping areas and estates, which are monitored by Tameside Council’s CCTV service in conjunction with the Police. Of these, some CCTV cameras are also used for parking and traffic enforcement. Location of the cameras can be found at:
View information on Traffic Cameras in Tameside here

A list of Tameside Council public realm CCTV cameras can be found here.  The locations are can be viewed using the What 3 Words website.

An annual report is published by Tameside Borough Council in accordance with the CCTV Code of Practice for the operation and management of the system. To request a copy please contact us.