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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Privacy concerns over CCTV in Ashbourne female toilets | Privacy concerns over CCTV in Ashbourne female toilets |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| BBC reporter Georgia Roberts tested out the cameras | BBC reporter Georgia Roberts tested out the cameras |
| There are calls for a Derbyshire council to carry out a review of a CCTV camera in a female public toilet facility after the BBC found the inside of a cubicle is partially visible. | There are calls for a Derbyshire council to carry out a review of a CCTV camera in a female public toilet facility after the BBC found the inside of a cubicle is partially visible. |
| Concerns were raised by local residents on social media about the public toilets in Ashbourne after women complained the cameras made them feel "violated". | Concerns were raised by local residents on social media about the public toilets in Ashbourne after women complained the cameras made them feel "violated". |
| While no laws prohibit the use of CCTV in public toilets, guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) says their use must be in line with the Data Protection Act. | While no laws prohibit the use of CCTV in public toilets, guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) says their use must be in line with the Data Protection Act. |
| Derbyshire Dales District Council says data protection laws can only be breached where an individual is identifiable and "no one's privacy is compromised". | Derbyshire Dales District Council says data protection laws can only be breached where an individual is identifiable and "no one's privacy is compromised". |
| Concerns were raised by local residents on social media about a camera in the public toilets in Ashbourne | Concerns were raised by local residents on social media about a camera in the public toilets in Ashbourne |
| The official guidance recommends use must be "proportionate", "limited" and with consideration given for potential voyeurism. | The official guidance recommends use must be "proportionate", "limited" and with consideration given for potential voyeurism. |
| The district council says the cameras were placed there in 2022 in response to vandalism concerns. | The district council says the cameras were placed there in 2022 in response to vandalism concerns. |
| It is understood there are currently three officers with access to the CCTV system, and a log is kept on who has accessed the footage and when. Recordings are kept for 31 days, in line with the ICO guidance. | |
| An email distributed to councillors seen by the BBC states that the cameras only cover "communal areas". | An email distributed to councillors seen by the BBC states that the cameras only cover "communal areas". |
| However, the BBC found part of the inside of the front cubicle of the facility is visible on the CCTV. | However, the BBC found part of the inside of the front cubicle of the facility is visible on the CCTV. |
| Footage of a reporter visit requested via a Data Subject Access Request showed visibility in the cubicle from the waist upwards. | Footage of a reporter visit requested via a Data Subject Access Request showed visibility in the cubicle from the waist upwards. |
| The footage showed the BBC reporter could be seen while inside the cubicle (bottom left of picture) | The footage showed the BBC reporter could be seen while inside the cubicle (bottom left of picture) |
| Susan Hobson, leader of the Conservative group at Derbyshire Dales District Council, said the footage "certainly does raise some concerns". | Susan Hobson, leader of the Conservative group at Derbyshire Dales District Council, said the footage "certainly does raise some concerns". |
| "I feel very uncomfortable as a woman that my personal space could be violated by CCTV in public toilets, and I'm sure most other females would feel the same," she said. | "I feel very uncomfortable as a woman that my personal space could be violated by CCTV in public toilets, and I'm sure most other females would feel the same," she said. |
| "I would welcome an independent review by Derbyshire Dales District Council...to ensure any safety measures respect personal boundaries. | "I would welcome an independent review by Derbyshire Dales District Council...to ensure any safety measures respect personal boundaries. |
| "You can actually see in the toilet door. I think that makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. | "You can actually see in the toilet door. I think that makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. |
| "Let's just look at this in an objective way without being dramatic, just get to the bottom of it so everybody is reassured." | "Let's just look at this in an objective way without being dramatic, just get to the bottom of it so everybody is reassured." |
| The camera reacts to movements and has an automated voice to alert women using the toilet that they are being recorded | The camera reacts to movements and has an automated voice to alert women using the toilet that they are being recorded |
| A spokesperson for Derbyshire Dales District Council said: "No-one's privacy is compromised by the CCTV cameras, which were originally sited at the Ashbourne public loos on police advice to combat an increasing amount of vandalism. | A spokesperson for Derbyshire Dales District Council said: "No-one's privacy is compromised by the CCTV cameras, which were originally sited at the Ashbourne public loos on police advice to combat an increasing amount of vandalism. |
| "The good news is that there has been a marked reduction in damage at that site. | "The good news is that there has been a marked reduction in damage at that site. |
| "We welcome Councillor Hobson sharing her specific concerns with us, but would point out that all of our CCTV cameras are already independently audited as a matter of course. The next audit happens in May." | "We welcome Councillor Hobson sharing her specific concerns with us, but would point out that all of our CCTV cameras are already independently audited as a matter of course. The next audit happens in May." |
| An ICO spokesperson said: "It's unlikely anybody would expect this use of CCTV in public toilet cubicles, where people have a much greater expectation of privacy. | |
| "Our guidance is clear that CCTV can be intrusive if not used fairly or proportionately. | |
| "It is only in exceptional circumstances that CCTV should be installed anywhere in toilets and organisations must be able to justify that its use in private areas is absolutely necessary." | |
| Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. | Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. |