Devon and Cornwall Police are appealing to the public and businesses to register their CCTV and doorbell cameras. This initiative aims to streamline the process of obtaining crucial footage for crime investigations, potentially leading to quicker resolutions for victims. The force has implemented a new digital system to facilitate this.
Key Takeaways
- Police are asking residents and businesses to voluntarily register their CCTV and doorbell camera locations.
- A new digital system, NiCE Investigate, allows officers to request footage electronically when a crime occurs.
- This initiative aims to speed up investigations and improve evidence gathering.
Enhancing Investigations with Digital Footage
Devon and Cornwall Police have introduced a new digital media management system called NiCE Investigate. This system, already in use by 24 other police forces across the UK, allows officers to request evidence from businesses and communities within the force area more efficiently. When a crime is reported, officers can check if any registered cameras in the vicinity might have captured relevant footage and then request it via email.
Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thorne expressed optimism that this new process will “lead to faster results for victims of crime.” He highlighted the success of NiCE Investigate since its summer implementation, noting over 1,600 business requests and 12,000 citizen requests have been successfully completed. This has enabled thousands of submissions of footage electronically, moving away from the reliance on physical media like CDs or USB drives.
Voluntary Participation and Data Security
Participation in this registration scheme is entirely voluntary. The police will not have direct access to the cameras or their live feeds. Any footage provided by the public or businesses is “100% voluntary.” The force encourages businesses and residents to register their cameras to contribute to the safety and security of their communities.
Strengthening Retail Crime Prevention
In parallel, Devon and Cornwall Police have also launched a dedicated digital crime reporting service for retailers. Operating through the SentrySIS crime management platform, this Direct to Police Reporting (DTPR) service aims to bolster retail crime prevention efforts. In collaboration with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, retailers can now share information on shop thefts and related business crimes directly into police systems via the UK Partners Against Crime (UKPAC) intelligence-sharing platform.
The service allows for the submission of comprehensive evidence bundles, including witness statements, CCTV files, suspect images, and incident logs, all compliant with GDPR. For reports that may not yet meet full Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) standards, UKPAC analysts will work to identify repeat offenders and build case files to support police investigations. This streamlined approach is expected to save officers significant investigative time, reduce duplication, and ensure cases progress more efficiently.
Sources
- Devon & Cornwall Police ask public to register CCTV cameras, BBC.
- Devon and Cornwall Police launches retail crime reporting service, UKAuthority.
Devon & Cornwall Police Urge Public to Register CCTV for Enhanced Crime Fighting