Abstract
This article discusses the growth in the UK of the use of public space closed circuit television (CCTV) systems as a means of controlling risk. The evidence as to the efficacy of CCTV is equivocal, but despite this successive UK governments have extolled the virtues of the technology, and have made money available to fund a large number of systems. There has been little debate outside the academic literature on the use of CCTV, therefore there is an apparent paradox between CCTV's use as a medium for communication and the paucity of risk communication from government to the public. Due to apparent public acquiescence to the use of CCTV, government appears to have felt that informed debate is not required. Using a multimethod case study of the largest residential-area CCTV system in Scotland, it is concluded that there is a strong desire amongst the public for CCTV, suggesting that at present they have been unconcerned at the lack of policy debate and hard empirical evidence.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call