Significance of CCTV in our Society

“We are the most spied-upon nation in the world, with some of us caught on camera hundreds of times a day. Incredibly, no one seems to mind.” (Brendan O'Neill 2006)

German Engineer, Walter Bruch, was responsible for the installation of the first Closed-Circuit Television system. It was used in Germany in 1942 to observe the launch of V-2 Rockets. The first commercial CCTV system became available in 1949 named ‘Vericon’ in the United States; it is most remembered for not requiring a government permit. During the 1980s video surveillance became popular; recording evidence of criminal activity was seen as a cheaper way to prevent crime rather than increasing police departments. Digital multiplexing which allowed several cameras to record at once first began in the 1990s; this spread the use of CCTV across the country. 

On average in the UK there are 1.85 million cameras, which is an average ratio of 1 camera to 32 people. CCTV is used for many different purposes, most significantly for surveillance. The word ‘surveillance’ is French for “watching over”. They are connected to a recording device and watched by a security guard. Surveillance cameras are useful for government and businesses to maintain social control and monitor threats. Security cameras are installed in prisons to minimise costs as less staff are needed to observe all areas. In the late eighteenth century, social theorist Bentham designed the Panopticon prison which allowed someone to observe all the cells from a central tower, without them being able to tell that they were being watched. Through technological developments Bentham’s vision became the modern form of CCTV. 

Security cameras have appealed to a wide market to deter people from theft and robbery; they have been implemented in towns, city centres, stations, airports, car-parks, estates, banks, casinos and shops. CCTV has an extensive network of purposes, including traffic monitoring where motorways have implemented systems to detect congestion and accidents, speed cameras to check people are abiding by the law and transport safety so that the operator on a bus or train can observe whether the doors are clear before closing them. 

The CCTV concept is very powerful in terms of the psychological effect it has on the public. For instance, signs stating that ‘CCTV is in Operation’ automatically brings it to their attention, making them feel conscious of being watched, thus fearing to do wrong. It is a controlling system as it simply takes a camera present for the public to question their actions. Even if the CCTV camera is not working, which is sometimes the case, then essentially it is a dummy camera, but this does not change the public’s perception as they are unaware of it not working. It proves how psychologically powerful it is as instantly the pubic associate a camera with being watched, and it is this concept which is implanted into their minds. Moreover, it reassures the public, for those who may be at a station late at night, it psychologically makes the public feel safer and more secure.  On average people are captured on 70 different CCTV cameras everyday. 

Identity plays a huge role in CCTV; images are released in the press to help police identify suspects. A renowned case whereby toddler James Bulger was abducted and murdered by two ten-year-old boys in 1993 marks a momentous time for how essential CCTV footage is. One of the killers was caught on camera holding the toddlers hand and leading him out of the shopping centre. This proves how CCTV plays such a crucial role in crime investigation as it helps to confirm an individual’s identity as well highlight details such as time and location. This accumulates the context of the situation at hand, helping investigators make their conclusions.

CCTV systems are set up in public places but some people feel that the CCTV technology misuses people’s human rights as it invades their privacy. This is presented in the reality television show ‘Big Brother’ where cameras are installed everywhere, and the contestants every move is recorded in the public eye.  This can be deemed as Voyeurism, which means spying on people engaged in intimate behaviours, such as undressing.  Big Brother in the past has also publicised scenes of a sexual nature, however this is not against their human rights as they have signed a contract in agreement.

It is clear from the variety of uses and purposes, that a security camera plays a major role in society. Cameras are set up to protect society as well as control it; they are in effect the eyes of the law, making people be self-policing as they fear to break the rules.