Trafalgar Square. Photograph: Anna Fortune

Closed-circuit television, better known as CCTV, is prevalent throughout the UK and especially in London.  The camera networks can be operated by police, local authorities or private companies, and are often partly funded by Home Office grants.  Britain has been labelled as a “surveillance society” and could be in danger of becoming overly reliant on tracking technologies.

Last week, The London File asked local residents how they felt about surveillance in the city. This week, Anna Fortune and Britni Salazar visited Trafalgar Square and questioned tourists about CCTV surveillance and the invasion of privacy.  The findings revealed that most tourists are content with the Big Brother system watching over London...

Andrew Tuttia, 18; Igor Nachive, 18; Sean Katna, 18 – Texas, USA “CCTV surveillance in London is definitely different than any surveillance in Houston. It’s probably good for safety. It’s got its ups and downs. We wouldn’t mind it. You’re walking around in the public eye anyway, so it doesn’t invade privacy unless it was inside your home.”

Serena Chalise, 20 – Nepal “It makes London feel quite safe, but basically in every place you feel like you’re on television. Sometimes I feel like my privacy is invaded especially when I’m in the changing room and I see a sign that says CCTV.”

Steve Radnower, 22 – Wisconsin, USA “The surveillance, especially in a big city like London, is beneficial because it’s hard to monitor everywhere in the city with just police cars and patrols; although you do see a lot of police officers walking around late at night. It seems like the cameras do a good job and the results are positive.”

“In terms of being photographed and watched all the time, it’s a little strange. I come from a smaller town, so it’s kind of odd to be filmed. But coming in and visiting is kind of voluntary; you know it’s going to happen. You just can’t be an idiot and make stupid mistakes in public. I don’t feel that my privacy is invaded too much unless there are cameras peering into my private space.”

Caroline Chong, 29 – California, USA “There are pluses and minuses to it. One plus is obviously safety. On a global scale, there are issues of terrorism, but on a local scale there’s petty crime, petty theft and things of that nature. Then there’s also the ‘Big Brother’ aspect as if you’re always being watched. I think proximity is also an issue of how close the cameras are really zooming in on you.  However, for some reason, I feel like the closer they are the more intrusive they might be on your personal space.”

Zara Osmani, 21; Neha Kassar, 22 – Pakistan “We think there’s nothing wrong with it, in fact it’s a good thing because it would make one person feel more secure so I have nothing against it.”

“We do have that system in our country so we’re not really against it. Where we’re from, security is a big issue so that’s why we’re all for this.”