Obtaining CCTV footage

It may be possible to obtain copies of CCTV footage relating to incidents affecting you or your property. This may be as part of insurance claims, damage to property, civil claims, and, similar such enquiries.

If however the footage is required for the detection and investigation of a crime then the footage will be reserved for the Police. In such circumstances you, your insurer, or your solicitor will need to contact them directly for a copy.

How to make an enquiry about CCTV footage

Under Data Protection law, you will not be able to request footage relating to any other persons without their express consent and identification being provided.  

  • To make an enquiry to find out if the incident was caught on camera and is held by us, you must:
  • Be clear and exact about time, date and place (within one hour of accuracy)
  • Prove your identity. We need evidence that your enquiry is genuine. You will need to provide at least two proofs of identity, such as a driving licence, passport, recent utility bill etc.
  • Prove ownership if the enquiry relates to your car, property, etc.
  • Complete the CCTV Enquiry form.

Requests from insurers or other agents

If you are an insurer, or other agent, requesting footage on behalf of your client you will be required to provide a letter on letter-headed paper confirming your clients details, basis for which you are seeking this information, and confirming that you are authorised to request this information by your client. Further evidence may be sought by the London Borough of Bromley if required.

Investigation authorities 

Investigation authorities such as the Police, Environment Agency, Health and Safety Executive, Department of Work and Pensions, and other such agencies, should submit their requests for the supply of footage to directly to us, where they may be processed.

What happens next

CCTV enquiries will normally be completed and responded to within 5 working days.

If footage of the incident is held and is required, the council will release the footage to you.

Please be aware that CCTV footage is held for a maximum of 31 days, after which it is destroyed. If the incident you wish to enquire about occurred more than 31 days ago, please do not submit an enquiry, as the footage will have already been destroyed.