The public safety CCTV system is owned and operated by Ealing Council, in partnership with the Metropolitan Police.
There is a 24-hour control room, which monitors and records images from CCTV systems in streets, off-street car parks and housing estates in the borough.
These activities are carried out in accordance with the law and relevant codes of practice.
Reporting a crime or disorder
To report a crime and disorder you must contact the police, dial:
- 999 in an emergency
- 101 if not an emergency
Should the police require CCTV footage for their investigations they will contact the council.
CCTV recordings
CCTV footage is held for 31 days, and then automatically deleted after this time.
Requesting CCTV footage
If CCTV footage is required for a road traffic accident that occurred within the last 31 days in the borough, the request must be made by either:
- an insurance company or solicitor representing the client involved in the incident
- the police, if the matter is related to a criminal investigation (the police has a direct process with the council to review footage)
The council must be satisfied that the request is legitimate and genuine before releasing any footage.
According to the Data Protection Act 2018, CCTV footage can be disclosed for the following purposes:
- providing evidence in criminal proceedings (Schedule 2 Part 1 5(3))
- providing evidence in civil proceedings or tribunals (Schedule 2 Part 1 5(3))
- prevention of crime (Schedule 2 Part 1 2(1))
- investigation and detection of crime (Schedule 2 Part 1 2(1))
- identification of witnesses (Schedule 2 Part 1 2(1))
The request for CCTV footage can be made by third parties who have enough grounds for disclosure within the above criteria. These third parties include:
- police
- statutory authorities with powers to prosecute (customs and excise, trading standards)
- solicitors
- claimants in civil proceedings
- accused persons or defendants in criminal proceedings
- other agencies with a genuine purpose
Making a request
The request for a search and potential disclosure of CCTV footage should only be made by an insurance company or solicitor on behalf of their client.
Requests from members of the public will not be accepted and processed.
Before a request is made, we recommend that the CCTV cameras in the area of the incident are checked.
Payment for CCTV footage
A search fee of £105 needs to be paid to the council to search for footage of the incident based on the details provided. This fee covers the cost of determining if relevant footage exists.
If footage is found, an additional fee of £105 must be paid to release the footage.
Both fees are non-refundable.
The council aims to respond to CCTV requests within 3 days. If no footage is found, you will receive an email telling you that the result is negative.
Subject access request
As an individual, you have the right to obtain a copy of CCTV footage that shows you through a Subject Access Request (SAR).