Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Hertfordshire CCTV Policy when involved in a collision

CCTV

CCTV footage is invariably only held by a provider for a short period of time (usually less than a month). It is the responsibility of the person reporting the collision (if they believe that CCTV may be useful) to identify and contact the owner of the cameras. 

If it is confirmed that the incident has been captured, the collisions unit will need to be advised of the contact details of the individual who will supply the footage.

However, it is worth bearing in mind that it is very unusual that CCTV will assist the team in identifying a vehicle that has failed to stop at a collision, due to the quality of footage available, there are nevertheless occasions when it may assist with the investigation.

If the precise time of the collision is unknown, it is not proportionate for the team to view extended periods of footage to determine whether the collision has been captured and if it is of any evidential value.  The collisions unit do not view CCTV footage exceeding two hours. The collisions unit do not have control of CCTV systems or the release of images by independent CCTV operators. 

Once the collisions unit have been advised of the existence and content of such video evidence, at the point it is required an internet link will be sent to the person in possession of the video files, to enable them to upload it.

National Highways

If the collision took place on National Highways governed roads, and you feel CCTV may have captured the incident, then requests need to be made direct to National Highways within five days. 

More information around requesting footage from National Highways can be found on their website Traffic camera/CCTV services - National Highways

Dash cam

Where dash cam provides evidence in relation to a collision, it can only be accepted via internet upload.  This is due to the large variety of file formats available, and the need to maintain the continuity of evidence. 

The person producing the dash cam footage (usually the driver of the vehicle fitted with the dash cam) must be prepared to attend court to confirm its source.  Once the collisions unit have been advised of the existence and content of such video evidence, at the point it is required an internet link will be sent to the person in possession of the video files, to enable them to upload it. 

Two minutes before and two minutes after the collision will be required in most cases, especially when the dash cam is fitted to one of the involved vehicles.