Student's View

Last year saw the largest ever annual increase in CCTV cameras across Edinburgh. There are now more than 800 cameras monitoring the city, with a further 220 surveillance devices scanning our own University campus. These figures certainly sound extreme, yet, should we be thankful of the extra security, or alarmed at the very nature of this ever-present eye?

Last year saw the largest ever annual increase in CCTV cameras across Edinburgh. There are now more than 800 cameras monitoring the city, with a further 220 surveillance devices scanning our own University campus. These figures certainly sound extreme, yet, should we be thankful of the extra security, or alarmed at the very nature of this ever-present eye?

As reported in Student this week, figures released by the Scottish Government show that recorded crime is at its lowest in the country for more than 25 years.  It isn't difficult to see the connection – CCTV cameras make a city safer. However, while there certainly seems to be evidence for a link between the drop in crime rates and CCTV installation, is it significant enough to justify their excessive presence and are there civil liberty issues which need to be addressed?

Britain has five million surveillance cameras - more than 20% of the world's CCTV devices. As a result The Washington Post recently labelled the UK 'the world's premier surveillance society' – a statement which is backed up by the fact that in Edinburgh the average student is likely to be caught on camera over 100 times a day. Aside from the usual objections to being 'spied' upon, students are right to be concerned about the city's camera crusade. The cameras employed to monitor Edinburgh are more expensive than other cities. Due to our often dull and dreary weather each device has sophisticated technology implanted to lighten up images, meaning that a singular camera costs £24 000. Across the whole of the city, this adds up to over £24m spent solely on surveillance. Surely this money could be put to better use?  Moreover, with the increase in reality TV, YouTube and blog culture, our generation is becoming increasingly voyeuristic and CCTV cameras not only mirror this change, but justify it.

The rise in the number of CCTV cameras across Edinburgh seems to be a double-edged sword. According to the government we're safer - but what price are we paying to achieve such a goal? To lower crime rates, it seems to be a case of the end justifying the means, and as a result, surveillance will continue its iron grip on society.