According to police statistics, 31% of arrests and 'clear ups' by the Flying Squad from 1994-1996 resulted from photographic evidence, while the number of armed robberies committed in banks and building societies fell from 856 in 1991 to 135 in 1999 – mainly due to CCTV systems.
Now, the Metropolitan Police Service and security systems specialist The Case Group have produced a guide to help businesses, retailers and managers of commercial and industrial premises choose CCTV systems which produce the best results for evidential purposes.
DC Alan Townsend, crime prevention co-ordinator for the Flying Squad, said: "For police investigators, photographic evidence of a suspect committing a crime is almost as good as catching a criminal red handed. It can be one of the most important factors in obtaining a successful arrest and subsequent conviction."
CCTV & Video Evidence advises on collecting photographic evidence for use in a court of law, taking the user through the initial stages of choosing, buying and using a CCTV system. There's also advice on handling tapes correctly if they are to be used in evidence, and how to re-use them without reducing quality.
Source
SMT
Postscript
For free copies of CCTV & Video Evidence telephone: 01727 846645.
