CCTV and community safety
We have CCTV cameras in operation across the borough in key locations, including town centres, parks and car parks. These cameras record and store images so they can be available when requested by the police.
Upgrading our CCTV system
In 2023 we upgraded 39 CCTV cameras in some of our green spaces and car parks where there is little or no surveillance from privately-owned CCTV:
- Priory Park, Reigate
- Memorial Park, Redhill
- Lady Neville Recreation Ground, Banstead
- Bancroft Road car park, Reigate
- Clarendon Road multi-storey car park in Redhill
These cameras record and store images for 30 days so they can be viewed when they are needed. The remaining older cameras are recording and storing images for 14 days.
Future upgrades
Proposals to upgrade at least another 22 cameras were agreed at the Full Council meeting in September 2024.
These cameras will:
- be in locations where the police evidence shows they are needed most and there is less likely to be alternative coverage from privately-owned cameras
- comply with data protection legislation and guidance
- record and store high quality images to better support the police’s evidence gathering.
This will bring the total number of upgraded CCTV cameras to at least 61. Any remaining older cameras, which are rarely used and do not meet the 'pressing needs' test required by the Surveillance Camera Code of Practive, will be decommissioned.
Alternative public realm surveillance
There is significant CCTV coverage across the borough through privately-owned cameras and mobile recording devices, such as smartphones and dashcams.
Many privately-owned CCTV cameras, used to protect private assets, also provide alternative public realm surveillance, particularly in town centres. Most images now used by Surrey Police come from mobile phones, dashcam footage and privately-owned CCTV and this is expected to continue.
Further information
CCTV surveillance is one part of our Community Safety work. Find out more about: