DANIEL DONNELLY

Whether we are happy with CCTV surveillance or not, it is here to stay. The question is: how much more expansion will there be into our privacy and when should we draw the line? Some indication may be given by the House of Lords Select Committee Inquiry on the constitutional implications of the collection and use of surveillance and other personal data by the state and private companies, which is gathering evidence.

Meanwhile, we are bombarded with information telling us the 4.2 million cameras in the UK are 20% of the world's total and that the average citizen in central London is captured on camera 300 times a day. This is the result of the unimpeded development of CCTV, brought about by the availability of government funding, and politicians and community representatives sold on CCTV as a crime-prevention tool. However, this is not the case in Europe, where there is little CCTV coverage away from motorways and crime hot-spots; surveillance cameras are frowned upon in France and Germany.

In the UK, little heed has been taken of alternative views. As a result, we exist in an environment where the potential for intrusion into individual privacy has never been higher and the average citizen feels powerless to control the advance of the surveillance society. The proliferation of CCTV in Britain means we find ourselves being filmed - with automatic number-plate recognition and speed cameras - as we drive, in shopping malls, on pedestrian ways, inside and outside football stadiums, and in garages and banks. Even children are monitored in and around schools and employees in the private and public sectors are being watched by employers. Sadly, in the future, our grandchildren will not experience or understand the notion of privacy.

One of the largest centres for public space CCTV in Europe can be found on our own doorstep at Glasgow City Council's control centre in Blochairn. More than 400 public space cameras covering the city centre and other residential areas are located there. The operation runs 24 hours, 365 days of the year and plays its part in reducing crime, particularly vandalism, graffiti, abandoned vehicles, fireraising and fly-tipping. In addition, the cameras help trace missing and vulnerable people, and assist in policing the "night-time economy", concentrating on the crowds around pubs and discos. The use of CCTV has also become invaluable to the police in their supervision of parades, processions and marches, not to forget the monitoring of large football crowds to great effect.

Yet, of course, it is not the technology that interferes with individuals' rights and invades their privacy, but how it is used and abused. The concern is that CCTV is being utilised more and more to impact on our daily lives. For example, we have CCTV cameras monitoring how we recycle our rubbish at dumps and a new generation of cameras that come with microphones to record conversations 100 yards away. The government is also toying with the idea of introducing X-ray cameras that can see through clothing, and police officers and street wardens are testing the use of hat cameras. And, if you look to the skies in Merseyside, you may see the remote-control helicopter with its own CCTV cameras presently being used by police there to track criminals and record anti-social behaviour and whatever else. Where will it all end? Well, there is the possibility of "proactive" targeting as a consequence of new computer simulation software that can analyse digital images to forecast future events before they happen. Earlier this month, the deputy chief constable of Hampshire recorded his concern that he believes we are moving towards "an Orwellian situation".

Even the CCTV industry in Scotland is anxious that CCTV users' may be managing their systems inappropriately and, as a direct result, criminals may escape prosecution. The launch of CameraWatch this week reflects this concern and is dedicated to complying with policy, and engendering consultation and education among its members in their use of CCTV. CameraWatch is an independent, not-for-profit, self-funding advisory body which supports CCTV users and hopes to be a single source of best practice.

Modern crime prevention at the local level is the responsibility of public, private and voluntary groups, and CCTV has a major role to play. Consequently, it is essential to ensure universal compliance of processes, procedures, techniques and to the discipline of a uniform code of practice. Although CameraWatch is a product of the industry, it is still an essential step towards monitoring the use of CCTV throughout Scotland. Until our political masters come up with answers to the privacy concerns surrounding CCTV, we should welcome such initiatives.

Dr Daniel Donnelly is a former police officer and academic in police studies.

Harry Reid is away.