VIDEO DOORBELL REQUESTS

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be testing a new CCTV registry system designed to help investigators identify and request footage more quickly following an incident.

The system allows people to voluntarily register the location of CCTV, doorbell or private camera systems so that, if something happens nearby, officers can contact them and ask if they’ve captured anything useful.

Importantly, the system does not give the police access to live footage or control of privately owned cameras. It simply helps us understand where cameras may be located and provides a quicker way for footage to be shared when needed.

The technology has been developed through Axon, the company behind our Body Worn Video and Evidence.com platform. It forms part of our wider work to improve how digital evidence is gathered and managed across the force. Similar systems are already being used by a number of UK police forces including West Midlands Police, Cumbria, Kent and Essex Police.

It also supports our wider digital strategy and our commitment within the Policing Plan to deliver an outstanding local service that cares by improving how we identify, collect and manage evidence to support investigations and victims.

Before we launch this publicly, we want to test the system internally first.

That means we’re asking colleagues who live in Staffordshire and have CCTV, doorbell cameras or other home security systems to consider registering them over the next few weeks.

This will help us test the process, understand demand, identify any issues and shape how we launch the system more widely this summer.

Nothing on the register will indicate your link to Staffs police and your address will not be plotted on a publicly visible map.

The system will not replace existing investigative work or the need for officers to speak to victims and witnesses, but it gives us another tool to help gather footage more quickly and support investigations.

To register, scan the QR code