Today, both governmental bodies and non-governmental organisations everywhere are boosting their security measures in an effort to keep people safe. While most Sydneysiders are already paying attention to the placement of public CCTV cameras across the city, it’s important to also remember that private cameras are being installed with the support of Sydney security companies, and these private cameras are also considered a part of the city’s overall CCTV network.
While government surveillance via these public CCTV cameras serves as a deterrent to crime, many citizens are naturally concerned about their privacy when they’re out and about. Because of this concern, it’s vital to know just where you’re being recorded and how to access public CCTV footage should the need arise.
Keep reading to learn about the different places where CCTV cameras are located and about the process of requesting footage.
Where are you Being Recorded by Public CCTV Cameras?
Not all public places are protected by CCTV cameras. Due to feasibility constraints and privacy concerns, only areas with the highest risks of crime and high crime rates are authorised to install CCTV cameras. These include George Street, Sydney Town Hall, Kings Cross and The Rocks. Many of these areas also happen to be some of the most densely populated, so it’s easy to see why the local government wants to put extra safety measures in place.
CCTV cameras are also installed across local freeways and highways for highway patrol monitoring. These road camera feeds play a vital role in tracking persons of interest in local police proceedings.
You can also expect to find CCTV cameras in all public transportation across Sydney. These CCTV systems are fully managed by Transport for NSW and CCTV footage can be requested in the event of an ongoing police investigation where victims interacted with persons of interest on public transport.
For a full list of the street safety cameras in Sydney, you can visit the official City of Sydney website.
How to Access Footage from Public CCTV Cameras
Understand When You’re Eligible to Access Public Footage
The first step to take if you find yourself in a situation where it’s in your best interest to gain access to CCTV camera footage is to determine whether you’re eligible to do so. The police generally use public CCTV footage to carry out official investigations. If you’re involved in such an investigation, you may be eligible to request a copy of the footage involving your case.
Typically, there are two situations where you can request such access: one is if you’re a victim of a crime, and another is if you’re being accused of one.
However, you can’t simply walk up to a public official and ask them to show you the relevant footage. In the next sections, we’ll walk you through the proper procedure for accessing public CCTV footage.
Work With a Lawyer
Whether you believe you’ve been the victim of a crime or are being accused of committing an illegal act, you can only request a copy of public footage via a registered lawyer. There are three primary situations in which a lawyer can have a request for access approved:
- You’ve been accused of a crime, and your lawyer believes that the CCTV footage contains evidence in your favour.
- You’ve been accused of a crime, and a lawyer acting on behalf of the Government of New South Wales believes that the CCTV footage contains evidence against you.
- You believe you’ve been the victim of a crime, and your lawyer believes that the CCTV footage contains evidence supporting your claim.
The only situation in which you can request a copy of public footage without a lawyer is if you’ve been accused of a crime or a civil offence and are representing yourself in court. In this scenario, you’ll need to provide written evidence that you’ve been charged with a crime or have a civil matter.
Make a Request Within 28 Days
In Sydney, footage recorded by public CCTV footage is stored for 28 days. After this time period, the footage is deleted unless a formal request for access is filed. If you require access to footage to prove your innocence or support a claim you’re making against somebody else, speak with your lawyer about requesting access well before the 28-day deadline.
Requests must also be made directly through the body that’s managing the CCTV footage. For instance, if you’re looking to file a request for CCTV footage on public transport, you will need to file that request directly through Transport for NSW. If you want to access CCTV footage from public CCTV systems in the Sydney CBD, the request will need to be made directly to the City Council offices and local police.
Follow the Right Procedure for Filing Complaints
If you believe that a part of the Street Safety Camera Code of Practice was violated at some point during the process described above, you have the right to file a complaint. Your complaint will be assessed by the Street Safety Camera Program working group in consultation with external bodies. If you have reason to think that your privacy has been violated, you can also reach out to the NSW Information and Privacy Commission.
Again, if you want to file a complaint against the usage of public CCTV cameras in Sydney or the process of obtaining footage, it’s best to work with a qualified legal professional. A lawyer will be able to advise you on whether you have in fact been wronged and on the best course of action to follow if you have.
How to Register a CCTV Network with NSW Police
If you’re a homeowner or business owner who has installed their own private CCTV security system on your premises, you can actually register that CCTV system with NSW police to help ensure easier public access in the event that your cameras may have captured footage of persons of interest or incidents/accidents.
The CCTV Register is designed to be as secure as possible, with a proprietary database that’s fully owned and operated by the NSW Police Force. Whilst it’s not mandatory to join the CCTV Register, your participation may help to keep your friends and neighbours safe.
You can sign up to the CCTV Register by providing your details online via the NSW Police Force website.
Know your CCTV & Privacy Rights as a Sydney Citizen
Street CCTV cameras are an essential safety measure that the Sydney government has put in place to protect its residents. These public cameras are essential in assisting investigations in cases like serious car crashes, crimes and misdemeanours.
As a resident of New South Wales, it’s helpful to be aware of the fact that you’re being recorded in certain places and that, in some cases, you have the right to request access to the footage. If you find yourself in one of these situations, follow the procedure outlined above to file a request for access.
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