On the Icons of England Website you can nominate and vote for the Icon that best represents modern England, and among others nominations is CCTV. Britain is the most watched country in the world.

These cameras mounted on a disproportionally-large large-green posts may give the impression that George Orwell’s 1984 has arrived. However Big Brother doesn’t get it all his own way.

There are procedures to be followed.

The use of surveillance cameras is limited by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act. The district council have this large public document detailing CCTV procedures.

1.1.4 The use of CCTV in the Vale is considered a necessary and suitable tool to help achieve a reduction in crime, reduce the fear of crime and improve public safety….

2.3.3 None of the cameras forming part of the System will be installed in a covert manner….

4.1.2 Cameras will not be used to look into private residential property….

Signs will be placed in the locality of the cameras. The signs will indicate:
i) The presence of CCTV monitoring;
ii) The ‘ownership’ of the system;
iii) Contact telephone number of the ‘data controller’ of the system….