‘We don’t want to live in Big Brother Scotland’ Lib Dem leader calls for new CCTV code of practice

Willie Rennie MSP, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, has called on the Scottish Government to introduce a new code of practice to govern the use of CCTV after new figures revealed the number of cameras in use across Scotland has trebled in the last decade.

Figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests show that there are now at least 4,114 public-space CCTV cameras and mobile camera vans in operation across Scotland.

The UK government has consulted on plans to regulate CCTV in England and Wales and has brought forward proposals that would limit how cameras could be used.

Mr Rennie said:“CCTV cameras do have a role to play in keeping us safe but we don’t want to live in Big Brother Scotland.

“The Government has brought forward proposals in England and Wales for a new code of practice that would help protect people’s privacy and ensure that cameras are being deployed where they can do the most good.

“The Scottish Government must ensure that someone is watching the watchmen and improve the ways that we regulate the use of CCTV to prevent inappropriate surveillance.”