7 replies to this topic

[Happy-Days]

I haven't been to Glastonbury for a few years,and I know there have been quite a few changes,some for the good
but is there really CCTV cameras watching people on site now,if there is,it's a tragedy.

[PabloCoke]

there are cameras along the fence to monitor people jumping in, this was probs part of there licence sadly but i'm pretty sure the rest of site is camera free. There might be some at major junctions were management of crowds may be important but thats just a guess, it  would make sense to stop any serious accidents involving huge crowds and crushes.

Edited by PabloCoke, 14 June 2010 - 02:12 PM.

[gizmoman]

They have cctv at the front of the stages for crowd monitoring (so they can see if theres a problem with crushing etc), this is the same at all big festivals.

[Breeze]

I believe the Police have a number of CCTV setups on site also - there was mention in the Spectator article of Police having lapel cameras as they walk around the campsite with a live uplink to a control room also. Which, if true, suggests the 'Glasto used to be better' crowd may be onto something.

EDIT: It seesm to be true - more info HERE

[gizmoman]

People at the front of the pyramid seem quite keen to be on camera! (as long as they get on TV), the police have used lapel cameras on their mounted patrols and made a few amusing videos for their website last year, (look up horsecam), it all depends on your attitude to cctv i suppose, the police would argue it helps them keep us safe and it helps keep them accountable too, they have to act properly if they are being recorded.

[Breeze]

gizmoman, on 14 June 2010 - 02:54 PM, said:

the police would argue it helps them keep us safe and it helps keep them accountable too, they have to act properly if they are being recorded.

Yes, but it is interesting to note that the fans of CCTV say 'if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to worry about' (totally bogus line of argument of course) but if you try to film a police officer with YOUR camera you will typically have the full force of the Counter-Terrorism Act used against you, as many have before you, journalists included. Of course if any footage from lapel cameras was taken that was uncomplementary to the police it would all remain on file and accessible to the general public at a later date with no data mishaps LOL

[gizmoman]

Breeze, on 14 June 2010 - 03:31 PM, said:

Yes, but it is interesting to note that the fans of CCTV say 'if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to worry about' (totally bogus line of argument of course) but if you try to film a police officer with YOUR camera you will typically have the full force of the Counter-Terrorism Act used against you, as many have before you, journalists included. Of course if any footage from lapel cameras was taken that was uncomplementary to the police it would all remain on file and accessible to the general public at a later date with no data mishaps LOL

I'm not really a fan of cctv, like any tool it all depends how it is used and there is certainly a danger of losing your personal privacy and freedoms.I share a lot of your concerns re. this and the surveillance society, I.D. cards etc. As far as the festival is concerned there doesn't seem to have been any problem with it so far, the policing of the festival seems pretty good all things considered but it is certainly something people should be aware of and challange if it is being misused. The police haven't hidden the fact they were using the lapel cams so there has at least been a bit of transparency there, though If the Glasto audience were more like the old days (less mainstream, more radical) I expect they may well have used them covertly.

[Insomaniac]

While in one sense I understand the need for CCTV to keep us safer, I was initially hesitant about the cameras monitoring each portaloo and every long drop cubicle. It was only when it was explained to me that the revenue raised from the fetish website they were streaming to, means more money for the charities that Glastonbury supports, that I realised what a great addition to the festival they are.