Event Details

Key Speakers

DCI Mick Neville, Lead, Op Withern - Bronze Images, Metropolitan Police

Overview

Over the years, technological breakthroughs such as DNA profiling have transformed the way crime is investigated and have helped to bring perpetrators to justice. Today, technology plays a vital role in all aspects of police work. Closed circuit television (CCTV), in particular, is now widely regarded as an indispensible crime prevention and public protection tool.

The value of technology was underlined recently by the critical role played by CCTV to help identify and punish perpetrators in the aftermath of last summer’s riots. However, the use of closed communication networks and online social media to mobilise and escalate the riots also highlighted the negative impact of technology being used with criminal intent. At the same time, the resilience of the police radio network system was tested to the limit of its capacity to deliver vital intelligence quickly.

With the eyes of the world soon to descend on the UK for the London Olympics, it is imperative for all those involved – police and other emergency services, local authorities, retailers and communities to learn the lessons from the disturbing events witnessed last summer. This special symposium offers a timely opportunity to analyse the successes and failures in the multi-agency response to the riots, assess gaps in processes and procedures, discuss the impact of social media and explore not only the positive contribution technology can make to crime reduction and public protection, but also examine its limitations.

Furthermore, following the end of the official consultation on developing a general code of practice for the use of CCTV and ANPR, the symposium will also analyse the Government’s plans to overhaul the regulatory framework aimed at striking the balance between public protection and individual privacy and freedom. Delegates will explore how to take forward a robust code of practice that can be implemented consistently and effectively in every area, without placing unnecessary barriers to ensure that CCTV fulfils its true potential as an effective component of future local crime reduction and community safety strategies.

Delegates will:

• Analyse the successes and failures in the multi-agency response to the riots and evaluate both the positive and negative roles that technology played
• Examine the Government’s intended approach to develop a code of practice for CCTV/ANPR and prepare for its implementation
• Explore how the regulatory framework might be further enhanced in the future in both the public and private spheres
• Discuss how to strengthen local partnership working
• Share good practice and network with colleagues from across the community safety, CCTV/technology and government landscape

Programme

Who Should Attend?

• CCTV and IT Operations
• Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships
• Police Service, Police Authorities and Fire Services
• Crime Prevention Officers
• Design Consultants
• Architectural Liaison Officers
• Planning Authorities
• Town Centre Managers
• Community Safety Teams
• Emergency Planning Officers
• Security Industry
• CCTV Manufacturers and Suppliers
• Licensing Authorities
• Neighbourhood Policing Teams
• Anti-Social Behaviour Coordinators
• Housing Officers and Housing Associations
• Drug and Alcohol Action Teams
• Youth Offending Teams
• Probation Officers
• Community Support Officers
• Trading Standards Officers
• Children and Youth Services
• Domestic Violence Co-ordinators
• Sure Start, Children’s Trusts and Children’s Centres
• Victim Support Representatives
• Neighbourhood Renewal Teams
• Teachers and Head Teachers
• Neighbourhood Wardens and Co-ordinators
• Criminal Justice Practitioners
• Local Authority Officers and Councillors
• Central Government Departments and Agencies
• Equality and Diversity Practitioners
• Third Sector Practitioners
• Academics and Researchers

“ We are making technology work for us, by capturing the images of the perpetrators on CCTV – so even if they haven’t yet been arrested, their faces are known and they will not escape the law ... Everyone watching these horrific actions will be struck by how they were organised via social media. Free flow of information can be used for good. But it can also be used for ill. And when people are using social media for violence we need to stop them. So we are working with the Police, the intelligence services and industry to look at whether it would be right to stop people communicating via these websites and services when we know they are plotting violence, disorder and criminality. ”
— Prime Minister, speech to Parliament in response to summer riots, 11 August 2011

“ Government recognises the importance of CCTV in preventing and detecting crime and supports its use by communities. The Government also acknowledges that continued use of CCTV requires the support of the public and public confidence that systems are being used appropriately … Accordingly, we intend to introduce a Code of Practice for Surveillance Cameras and appoint a Surveillance Camera Commissioner. ”
— Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Crime and Security, 27 June 2011