School CCTV labelled 'unfair'

January 25 2011

A school which introduced cameras to catch pupils smoking has been criticised for potentially breaching data laws.

Landau Forte Academy, in Tamworth announced that it would fine parents £10 if their children were caught smoking – and said it would use CCTV footage to prove students had broken rules.

However, according to a CCTV advisory group the school's policy is unfair and may not fall in line with current regulations on installing surveillance systems.

Camerawatch said that the school must explicitly notify the public if the camera systems are for the purpose of security
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However, documents acquired by the school's local newspaper, Tamworth Herald, reveal that Landau Forte had registered its CCTV system for "the purposes of maintaining security of premises, for preventing crime and for investigating crime".

Paul Mackie, compliance director at Camerawatch, said that this "is yet another example of CCTV being used for purposes outside those registered – which breaches data protection legislation and therefore breaks the law."

The school has yet to comment on the matter.

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