CCTV: monitoring codes of practice

We manage and monitor CCTV in line with legislation and codes of practice, including the Surveillance camera code of practice.

If you’d like to request CCTV images from us please see our CCTV in public spaces page.

City Watch scheme

Using 406 cameras, City Watch aims to prevent, deter and detect crimes, and improve public safety and reassurance.

Cameras are monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, by council staff and police officers who work in a partnership established under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. All these officers are trained to Security Industry Authority standards.

City Watch collects CCTV data including geographic, personal and sometimes sensitive data. We will share data with the organisations listed below, only if there is a clear basis to do so in law and it is in the public interest or to help facilitate official functions:

• Merseyside Police, other national police forces and security agencies
• Liverpool City Council departments
• Other local authorities
• Merseytravel
• North West Ambulance Service
• Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service
• Liverpool One
• Liverpool Business Improvement District
• Other partners where it is deemed necessary for public safety purposes

We may keep this data for up to two years on secure servers in the UK.

City Watch also monitors traffic cameras from 7pm to 7am Monday to Friday, and 24 hours a day on Saturday, Sunday and statutory holidays.

In addition, City Watch officers respond to incidents and patrol the city using body worn CCTV and CCTV enabled vehicles.

Contact us

You can write to City Watch, PO Box 1070, Liverpool, L69 3RT, email city_watch@liverpool.gov.uk or phone 0151 233 6482.

Other CCTV schemes

We operate smaller public space CCTV schemes in council buildings, in areas that are hotspots for flytipping, body worn by certain staff, on refuse collection vehicles and mobile CCTV vehicles. Please write to City Watch at PO Box 1070, Liverpool, L69 3RT for further information about these schemes.

Related documents

• CCTV - Surveillance camera Code of Practice

  Download this document: CCTV - Surveillance camera Code of Practice (PDF: 297 KB)

  The council operates public surveillance for the purpose of crime reduction and public safety. This code of practice is to ensure full compliance with the regulatory framework governing the use of surveillance camera schemes.

  First published: 17/01/2022

• City Watch self assessment

  Download this document: City Watch self assessment (PDF: 155 KB)

  This self assessment tool is designed to help organisations that use surveillance cameras to identify if they are complying with the 12 principles in the code. This is the completed template for Liverpool City Council's City Watch. The template creator is the Surveillance Camera Commissioner and the template has been downloaded from the GOV.UK website. Liverpool City Council do not own this document template.

  This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Request an accessible format.

• City Watch Data Protection Impact Assessment

  Download this document: City Watch Data Protection Impact Assessment (PDF: 220 KB)

  First published: 17/01/2022

• City Watch Annual CCTV and Control Room Monitoring Services Report

  Download this document: City Watch Annual CCTV and Control Room Monitoring Services Report (PDF: 228 KB)

  This document focuses on the operations of the CCTV control room and our policies, aims and objectives.

  First published: 14/12/2021