Deterrence
Are people less likely to commit a crime if they see a CCTV camera? In Leeds, as in many other major cities, CCTV cameras are strategically placed in public areas as well as used by shops and businesses to provide a deterrent to would-be criminals. The effectiveness of CCTV as a deterrent often depends on the type of system being used. Ceiling-mounted “ball” cameras have a special glass casing, which means that you don’t know when the camera’s pointing at you. Is it worth taking the chance if you’re thinking of shoplifting or stealing from the till? It’s certainly true that places that have a working CCTV system, whether it’s monitoring or recording, and that advertise it heavily throughout the store are less likely to suffer from crime that those that have no coverage at all.

Evidence
If you are unlucky enough to be the victim of a crime in Leeds, CCTV could make all the difference when it comes to catching the perpetrators. Good recorded CCTV evidence can help to identify the criminal as well as placing them in the store or area at the time of the attack. That’s why it is essential that recording-based systems use new tapes on a regular basis and are serviced and checked as a matter of course.

Security
Whether the CCTV systems in Leeds or any other area are real-time monitored or recorded, they give the public a feeling of security: if anything happens to them, there’s likely to be a CCTV camera that can help. Monitored systems allow the alarm to be raised immediately, whereas recorded systems can provide valuable evidence. Not everyone is happy with CCTV cameras, but they are an effective security measure and, carefully chosen and properly installed, they can provide benefits to businesses, shops and the general public.