We issued Freedom of Information requests to local authorities to ask how many CCTV cameras they operate, and how this compares to two years ago, when we launched our first report on the topic.
The data and graphics below detail the key findings from our latest study, alongside expert commentary explaining the patterns that emerged.
If you’re looking to protect your home or business, check out our range of alarms, CCTV and safes, as well as our wider selection of locks, safety and security devices.
UK CCTV statistics
- There are currently 90,597 public CCTV cameras controlled by UK local authorities
- Almost two-thirds (64%) of local authorities have increased their surveillance, with 50 councils more than doubling their CCTV presence.
- The average number of cameras per council is now 391, up by 7% from 2022 (367)
Where is CCTV increasing the most?
While the majority of local authorities have stepped up their surveillance, some are increasing their CCTV figures at faster rates than others.
Perth & Kinross Council now operates 1,300% more cameras than it did in 2022 (504, up from 36) – the biggest rise across the UK.
The UK local authorities that are increasing their CCTV presence at the greatest speed are:
However, they have a long way to go to catch the UK’s CCTV capitals, with 18 local authorities controlling over 1,000 cameras each.
The London Borough of Hackney is still the most surveilled area in the UK, as it was in 2022, and now operates 3,549 CCTV cameras. This is 1,219 more than Portsmouth, which came in second place.
To see the CCTV statistics for every UK local authority, view the full datasheet here.
An expert’s view
To help explain the rising number of CCTV cameras across the UK, and to predict whether these patterns will continue, we spoke to Andrea Strong, Managing Director at Corps Monitoring.
Why has there been a rise in CCTV cameras in recent years?
“The availability of fibre broadband and a significant improvement in connectivity speeds has made it easier to connect to and deliver CCTV services. We’ve also seen a reduction in the cost of equipment and an increase in the features available, making it more affordable to install in the home and at commercial premises.
“With the advancement of mobile tech, and the fact that it is standard to have 4G or more enabled smartphones, we’re now heavily reliant on captured visuals – our news, our stories, our lives are all captured on video, so being evidence-driven is the norm. Naturally, when it comes to people and asset protection, CCTV cameras play a massive role; they are our eyes everywhere all at once.”
Do you think this increase is set to continue?
“Most definitely. With the pace of advancement in technology and the increasing threat of theft and damage, greater use of CCTV will improve not only the safety of our homes, businesses and assets, but our own personal protection.
“The increase we have seen in theft from both residential and commercial property will drive the increase in the deployment of technology and CCTV. Visible security systems act as a strong deterrent and also thwart anti-social elements.”
How can people protect their own homes?
“Install a simple-to-use, simple-to-connect intruder alarm in your home, but importantly, install CCTV that is monitored by an off-site accredited Alarm Receiving Centre. With this 24/7 monitoring, you will have the peace of mind that your property is being protected around the clock, no matter where you are in the world.
“The costs for providing electronic protection, including CCTV monitoring services for either your home or business premise, is both accessible and very affordable.”
What are the benefits of CCTV for businesses?
- Crime prevention: CCTV systems help prevent crime by monitoring and recording activities around business premises. This visible surveillance acts as a deterrent to potential criminals.
- Reduce security costs: Installing CCTV can reduce the need for physical security personnel, lowering overall security costs.
- Deterring vandalism: The presence of CCTV cameras can discourage acts of vandalism by making potential offenders think twice. Knowing they are being watched reduces the likelihood of damage to property.
- Provides camera footage for evidence: CCTV footage serves as valuable evidence in the event of a crime or dispute. This recorded video can be crucial for legal proceedings.
- Handling disputes: CCTV can help resolve disputes by providing clear, recorded evidence of incidents. This can be particularly useful in workplace conflicts or customer complaints.
- Visibility of entire business premises: CCTV systems offer a comprehensive view of the entire business premises, covering areas that might be difficult to monitor otherwise.
- Enhance customer services: CCTV can improve customer service by monitoring and analysing customer interactions. This can help identify areas for improvement and ensuring a high level of service.
For more information, we recently shared further expert advice on how to stop burglars and protect your property on our blog.
Methodology
- Data sourced from Freedom of Information requests issued to UK local authorities in August 2024 and compared to data from 2022.
- Data was supplied by 230 local authorities.
- Only cameras controlled by local authorities are included in the study, so private equipment owned by businesses or members of the public does not contribute to the totals.
- Worldwide statistics for CCTV cameras per capita sourced from JMC Secure.