Eight images out of ten supplied to the police from closed-circuit television do not help to identify criminals, according to a Home Office report published yesterday.

The report also says that the majority of cameras are not placed where they can help to detect or prevent serious crimes or terrorist attacks.

Some cameras are now being positioned to catch motorists in bus lanes and record vehicle numberplates. And many cameras in public places such as shopping centres and pubs and clubs are designed to “monitor crowds, slips, trips and falls” rather than criminal behaviour.

The report said that the use of CCTV cameras to generate income by monitoring traffic could lead to their being used less for crime prevention and catching criminals.

The National CCTV Strategy report outlined failings in the use of CCTV but recommended a huge extension in surveillance by allowing police almost automatic access to cameras run by councils, shopping centres and even small retail premises.

The report by the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers said: “Anecdotal evidence suggests that over 80 per cent of the CCTV footage supplied to the police is far from ideal, especially if it is being used for primary identification or [where] identities are unknown and identification is being sought.”

It added: “In some cases the cameras’ initial purpose has been changed or they are required to perform a number of additional and conflicting tasks.”

Although the report highlighted the crucial role of CCTV in investigating terrorist incidents, it said: “The majority of cameras have not been placed in positions which may be required for the prevention and detection of serious and organised crime and counter-terrorism.” The authorities should consider placing cameras to cover high-risk targets such as key economic sites, the report added.

A study in 2002 suggested that there were 4.2 million CCTV cameras in Britain but the report said that there was uncertainty about where cameras were, if they were covering correct areas and whether the images they produced were “fit for purpose”.

The report said that the huge proliferation of CCTV cameras was presenting the police with serious problems – in particular their capacity to recover evidence and review tapes.

Many police forces had failed to develop the capacity to retrieve digitally recorded CCTV footage, resulting in evidence being lost, the report said. And since the introduction of digitally recorded CCTV, the owners of some systems were storing the recording for only 14 days rather than 28 to 31 days.

The study also called for a new body to be set up to oversee CCTV schemes and ensure there was a balance between cameras deployed for crime-fighting and other uses. There should be a review of the location and purpose of all CCTV cameras, it said.

A Home Office spokesman said: “The strategy recognises that for CCTV to continue to be effective it must have both the support of the public and take account of rapidly changing technology.”

David Davis, the Shadow Home Secretary, said: “The countless victims of crime in this country will be stunned to hear that not only can they not get a police officer on the streets but also most of the CCTV footage that should help them get justice is useless.”

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