Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of changes proposed in the Deregulation Bill, shops and garages will be able to use CCTV cameras to combat theft.

The Government’s proposals relate to the use of CCTV by local authorities to issue parking fines. They do not relate to or limit the use of CCTV by police forces or others to tackle crime. Indeed, Ministers believe that public confidence in CCTV is strengthened if it is used to catch criminals not make money.