Promise and performance in CCTV surveillance: The need for an appraisal of practice

Based upon evaluations conducted over three years, this paper examines the implementation, effectiveness and purpose of public street CCTV systems. The usefulness of local CCTV evaluations is discussed and also the extent to which they can provide insights into the working of local community safety and crime reduction partnerships. This research suggests that at this stage during the continuing nation-wide expansion of schemes, there is a pressing need for a re-appraisal of practice based on the accumulating evidence. The benefits and opportunity-cost of CCTV should be subjected to more open and realistic scrutiny than has hitherto occurred