Nobody knows how many CCTV cameras there are in the UK, but it has been estimated as over 4 million, or 1 camera for every 14 people. They are everywhere, in our streets, in shops and now even flying overhead. But are they a vital tool to prevent crime, or a slow invasion of our private lives?
While it is possible to show examples of how CCTV has solved a few high profile crimes, it has not made much difference to overall crime figures. In 2008, CCTV only helped solve 3% of street robberies in London. source
If CCTV hasn't substantially reduced crime, do we really need it? According to 
this article, if cameras really did reduce crime, then UK cities would be safest on Earth, yet UK crime is not dramatically lower than in other countries.
The future of CCTV
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vital tool for solving crime
not worth the loss of privacy
What sort of cameras are there and where are they?