The Locksmith Journal Nov-Dec 2013 - Issue 29 | Page 38

CCTVNEWS SPONSORED BY DAVENPORT BURGESS Working with the Surveillance Camera Commissioner The Information Commissioner has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Surveillance Camera Commissioner, Andrew Rennison, on 23 October. The agreement commits both organisations to working with each other to regulate the use of CCTV and other forms of surveillance cameras in England and Wales. The pledge will help to avoid duplication of effort by establishing clear working relationships between both Commissioners. ‘ICO is currently in the processes of updating its existing CCTV Code of Practice’ The use of CCTV continues to be the source of a great deal of public interest. In the last 18 months the ICO has issued a number of important rulings relating to the use of surveillance systems. These have included the decision last year ordering Southampton Council to stop the mandatory video recording of all taxi passengers’ conversations in the city, and a more recent decision earlier this summer ordering Hertfordshire Constabulary to review its use of ANPR cameras surrounding the town of Royston. The ICO is currently in the processes of updating its existing CCTV Code of Practice so that it reflects the additional issues included in the Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s Code - published on 12 August. ICO has also published what they describe as a ‘road map’ that explains the roles and responsibilities of the Information Commissioner, the Interception of Communications Commissioner, the Office of the Surveillance Commissioners, the Surveillance Camera Commissioner, the Biometric Commissioners, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal and the Intelligence Services Commissioner ‘The pledge will help to avoid duplication of effort by establishing clear working relationships between both Commissioners’ www.ico.org.uk ANDREW’S DREAM BECOMES REALITY Young entrepreneur Andrew Thomas, owner of South Yorkshire-based CCTV Factory UK Ltd, is fulfilling his dream of running his own business – with an accolade as winner of ‘The Source (Skills Academy) Most Promising Business Sta rt-Up’ in the 2013 Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards. It is only a little more than a year since Andrew from Clifton, Rotherham, launched his own business. He had met his business partner, Steve James, while on holiday and it was Steve who inspired Andrew to launch the online business, CCTV Factory Ltd, buying and selling CCTV cameras. Initially, Andrew ran the business online in his spare time – but after three months, he took the momentous decision to give 38 THE NOV/DEC 2013 ISSUE SPONSORED BY ADVANCED KEYS up his ‘safe’ sales engineer job and run the business full-time, after Steve came on board and invested in the company. Andrew admits it was a gamble, with many sacrifices to be made, but after achieving a turnover of £100,000, the business has now begun to manufacture its own range of security products being sold throughout the UK and Europe – so the gamble is beginning to pay off. “I soon realised there was nothing glamorous about being a company director – the role comes with immense pressure, accountability and many sacrifices along the way,” he said. “When I started the company, I never envisaged winning an award, or how difficult or mental straining it would be,” he said. “I never thought the business would take off so quickly, I didn’t expect to be competing and winning business from some of the UK’s major CCTV suppliers,” he said at the Awards ceremony held in Rotherham’s Magna Centre. The business recently moved into larger premises in Wombwell and Andrew is looking to further expansion in the New Year. He expressed his thanks to everyone who has helped him make that dream come true. “I am really pleased with what I have achieved and hope the next 12 months are as good as the last when I look forward to expanding the company even further.” To read more, visit www.locksmithjournal.co.uk