Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities

Vol. 6, No. 2, 2020, pp. 48-59

http://www.aiscience.org/journal/jssh
ISSN: 2381-7763 (Print); ISSN: 2381-7771 (Online)

Impact of CCTV Surveillance on Crime Prevention:

A Study in Dhaka City
Md. Bashir Uddin Khan1, *, Moonmoon Binta Aziz2, Md. Omar Faruk2,
Md. Ishtiaq Ahmed Talukder3
1
Department of Sociology, School of Sociology and Political Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
2
Department of Criminology and Police Science, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Santosh, Tangail, Bangladesh
3
Department of Security Strategy and Management, Police Academy, Ankara, Turkey

Abstract
This research intends to investigate the impact of CCTV surveillance on crime prevention in Bangladesh. Dhaka, the capital
city of Bangladesh was selected as the research area in this regard. Four police stations from a total of forty-nine police stations
located in different parts of Dhaka city were selected purposively for the study. Interviewing to the general people and a semi-
structured interviewing to the police personnel in the jurisdiction of selected police stations were used for data collection. The
data for the present paper were collected in the period of February to June 2018 from the study area. This study reveals that the
police authority selects their locations for the installation of CCTV as per their own priority determination. Most of the
respondents of the current study consider that CCTV has a moderate impact on reducing crime. They also consider that it can
reduce the fear of crime among the commoners and provide them a sense of safeness. The opinion survey also reveals that
CCTV may displace the crimes from one place to another and thus may make one place safer and another place vulnerable at
the same time. Different crimes are influenced differently due to the installation of CCTV. However, CCTV has a great role in
the detection and prevention of crime, although it needs to address some privacy issues. Proper installation and maintenance of
CCTV are still at the initial stage in Bangladesh. It is recommended that the existing installation and maintenance of the system
should be replaced with a properly audited demand for CCTV operations. Additionally, a wireless networking mechanism
incorporating advanced options like facial recognition and artificial intelligence needs to develop.

Keywords
CCTV, Surveillance, Reduction of Crimes, Displacement, Fear of Crime, Police Stations

Received: October 20, 2019 / Accepted: February 27, 2020 / Published online: April 4, 2020
@ 2020 The Authors. Published by American Institute of Science. This Open Access article is under the CC BY license.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

life, managed the use of technology in the surveillance also

1. Introduction [1]. In the context of a present completely complex society, it
is very difficult for law enforcement agencies to maintain
Since the very beginning of human civilization, people have
their surveillance on a whole community other than having a
considered their security as a very precious priority. Crimes
technological advantage. CCTV along with other security
have always appeared thus as a practical threat for the people
tools (like an intrusion or fire alarm, and access control)
from the dawn of their appearance. Therefore, the need for a
therefore, is being used widely by them to increase the
surveillance process has been one of their major concerns
efficiency in time management and broaden the coverage of
always. With the advent of time, people have achieved their
the surveillance [2, 3]. It is generally considered as a form of
skills in science and technology and like all other aspects of
situational crime prevention according to the explanation of

* Corresponding author
E-mail address:
49 Md. Bashir Uddin Khan et al.: Impact of CCTV Surveillance on Crime Prevention: A Study in Dhaka City

Tonry and Farrington (1995) [4]. People at the earlier stage nowadays [8]. CCTV monitoring and recording help people
used CCTV to prevent shoplifting although the number of to feel safer even though rigorous monitoring and assessment
reduction was not counted systematically then. However, it are required for reaching the exact conclusion in this regard
was then revealed that CCTV worked very well as a means of [9]. However, CCTV has different dimensions in giving
a great psychological deterrent to crime [3]. The security people benefits, especially in security aspects. The relevant
issue nowadays is quite challenging. Although the whole area discussion based on the previous studies about this aspects
of policing and security management has encountered goes as the following.
changes rapidly during the past years, the social implications,
the law and principles, and the operational issues in many 2.1. The Value of CCTV as an Investigative
Tool
cases have failed to maintain coherence with such
technological development. For such technological inclusion, Quality recording by using CC cameras may provide
a civilian oversight, and independent monitoring seem quite investigators a solid base to understand the consecutive steps
vital. However, presently, not only CCTV has appeared as of the perpetrator, the means of crime commission and the
very important to the people, but also it has boosted the entry-exit ways of the stakeholders [6]. It is, therefore, a good
performance of the police in the arena of law enforcement. way to understand the basic nature of crimes and offenders.
Some recent incidents of Bangladesh like arresting the Some sorts of policy determination or strategic formulation for
offenders based on CCTV footage, arresting offenders who addressing different crimes in different zones are thus possible
were involved in ATM fraud, etc. have made a prospect to in this way. There are some problems in using CCTV footage
study the impact of CCTV in crime prevention and as evidence in many cases but these are good sources to
investigation. Therefore, it is very urgent in the present investigate the actual incidents and reconstruct the crime scene
context of Bangladesh to conduct a comprehensive study for to direct it for the legal procedure [1].
understanding to what extent CCTV plays a role in fighting 2.2. Crime Prevention as a Preferred Issue
crime. In this context, this study intends to find out how far
this country has adopted the CCTV surveillance in its capital Crime prevention has become a preferential sector for law
city within the metropolitan police system. This study also enforcement professionals mostly, since the terrorist
wants to understand whether the police are capable of incidents of September 11, 2001 [10]. Crime prevention
preventing crime in the city area by creating a significant using CC cameras thus has become much popular all around
deterrence with their CCTV system. Interviewing the the world. It helps to have continuous surveillance over a key
common masses and the police personnel was adopted as the point or important settlements. However, some studies also
key technique for the collection of data in different aspects. claim that CCTV has less impact on crimes like terrorism as
Thus, the researchers have tried to understand the present this particular crime has many critical points to understand
condition of CCTV surveillance in Dhaka city to recommend [11]. This is thus obvious that CCTV has a different impact
some strategic changes thereto to address the problems of on different crimes and in different locations. CCTV in the
surveillance. Other than conducting intensive researches on eyesight may aid people to be cautious about their activities,
this aspect, running such expensive installations can become which is a crime prevention technique. Apprehending the
a white elephant. Therefore, this study is an effort to criminal is less priority to the criminal justice professionals,
minimize the research gap in the existing scientific literature. rather the prevention of crimes is cost-effective and
important.

2. Review of Literature 2.3. Policy Dilemma

The use of technology in policing cannot be underestimated During the last few years, violation of individual privacy was
or overestimated in the present context [5]. Technology has a matter of serious debate among the commoners as
allowed us to take benefit from it, make life quite easier and presupposing the necessity of establishing legal boundaries
comfortable. Whether the use of CCTV surveillance helps in [12]. Some basic issues, therefore, appeared from the very
crime prevention is a broadly studied issue worldwide beginning of the new millennium in terms of CCTV’s
although the use of this technique as an investigative tool is acceptance within the legal sphere as evidence, the operation
subject to further inquiry [6]. All the public locations of the devices and the public’s reaction towards the usage of
including highways, shopping centers and other locations in it [13].
different nations are now under the coverage of CC cameras In many countries like the UK, CC cameras were
[7]. Therefore, from household security to the aviation sector, considered a serious threat to individual privacy. For
CCTV is one of the most popularly used security measures example- evidence suggests that the English go on with
 Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Vol. 6, No. 2, 2020, pp. 48-59 50

the filming of 300 times of their 4.2 million CC camera 2.5. Where It Works, Where Does Not
per day [7]. This can seriously hamper their free-roaming
In Criminology, many tools and instruments work to control
over the city where due to such intervention, people need
crimes effectively among which situational crime prevention
to be much aware of their way of movement. It is to be
is found to be very effective [23]. Different researches found
noted that from the very outset, the rules and regulations
different findings on the effectiveness of CCTV in different
relating to the CCTV installation and operations were
structures. Research claims that CCTV is more effective in
subject to the governments’ policy process [14].
reducing vehicle crimes but not in other types of crime and
Irrespective of this, some researchers also have focused on
the efficiency increases when this installation is combined
the necessity of having intensive attention over the
with other situational crime prevention techniques like
privacy issue of recorded images of police [15]. However,
improved lighting, wide coverage of the device, etc. [24].
the Close Circuit Television (CCTV) and Automatic
Another research also revealed that CCTV can decrease
Number Plate Retrieval (ANPR) are two widely used
crimes in car parks significantly but in other areas, it
technology in getting the perpetrators’ identity and moves
decreases crimes at an insignificant level [25]. According to
(ibid.). Installation of such a device is accepted where
this study, surveillance in private space by such techniques,
crime incidents generally happen. Installation of CCTV in
i.e. - use of camera or microphone is less acceptable because
areas such as bus or train stations, main highways and
of the low vulnerability of those places to crime commission.
other establishments where a high number of people
However, situational crime prevention techniques like
generally pass by is highly accepted [16]. Some researches
lighting and motion detectors are acceptable in the private
also advocate for ensuring the privacy of individuals
spheres (ibid.). Literature review thus reveals that CCTV
regarding the CCTV footage [17]. It is expected that the
does not work evenly in all places. Its efficiency depends on
data which are collected regarding the physical
its visibility, placement and viewing ranges.
identification of individual should be protected respecting
the private life of the people [18] 2.6. Public-Police Interaction
2.4. Deterrent Impact of CCTV Surveillance Sometimes cameras worn on the uniform of police or used on
flying drones may have a significant impact on police-public
CCTV assumes the reduction of crimes by exposing the risk of
interaction [15]. Many police officers use cameras in their
detection and legal action against the identified offenders, that
uniforms to record their interactions with people. It can thus
is its perceived impact on the offenders’ apprehension [19].
work as a guardian of that conversation where the police
CCTV surveillance in many cases does not stand on the basis
show a tendency to behave very politely with the service
of a good theoretical understanding of the buffer diameters.
seekers. This kind of camera use can improve the police-
Still, the camera has its limitation in its robust view in distant
community relationship, especially in countries like
locations; Irrespective of camera’s visible area, people are
Bangladesh where police suffer from serious forms of image
likely to be considerate about their activities if the cameras are
crises.
placed at a certain distance of visible positioning [20]. Another
study conducted in Cincinnati and Ohio of the USA measuring 2.7. Surveillance Technology and
34 camera locations found insignificant impact in the reduction Organizational Dimension
of crimes in distinct times, though sometimes the crimes in
Different organizations are now depending on different
residential areas were found to be reduced because of CCTV
monitoring and surveillance procedure to keep records of
installation while associated with other conditions, like an
their employees and other stakeholders. Research, for
area-based rate of crimes [21].
instance, underwent the use of CCTV in a school of UK
The situational crime prevention approach recommends that criticizes the way it facilitated the social control to the
environmental design such as street lighting directly students by direct observation because in a parallel way it
influences the offender’s perceived risk of being recognized cannot foster self-control among the students [26]. Another
[1]. CCTV also can work as key equipment for such research found that if the CCTV allows complex
environmental designing. Sometimes some biometric technological auxiliary facilities, it not only augments but
characteristics of humans are used combining with CCTV, also plays a negative role in the targeted objectives by
where the unique characters of human organs may aid to focusing on other less important objects [27]. Some
identify criminals quite easily [22]. Thus, combining the researchers are very much cautious about some nano-
CCTV with other detection process and the exposure of the technology based surveillance device like tags, sensors,
success in criminal apprehension may put a deterrent impact radiofrequency, etc. holding the argument that these are the
on the potential offenders. “Panopticon” of this age (they used the term as the metaphor)
51 Md. Bashir Uddin Khan et al.: Impact of CCTV Surveillance on Crime Prevention: A Study in Dhaka City

[28]. The use of electronic surveillance in the workplace at different attire [35]. High-quality CCTV images can help the
present has drawn the attention of the researchers. This has police personnel to get images for such analysis.
generated controversy on the issue of employee dignity,
ethics, public policy, and management level attitude [29].
3. Research Objectives and
Surveillance is not necessarily done only with the help of
CCTV. The employees in many organizations undergo many
Research Questions
other monitoring processes. Many companies tend to think The main objective of this research is to understand the
that having a close eye on the computer-mediated impact and deterrence that are made by CCTV surveillance in
communication of their employees is not the violation of different intersections of Dhaka city to understand the change
privacy [30]. This violation of privacy is not only a matter of in crime before and after the installation of CC cameras.
institution but also many organizations of the western However, the present study has some specific objectives also.
countries are alleged to collect a lot of information from their These are-
citizens in the name of security which is a matter of great
i. To investigate the considerations behind CCTV
concern for them [31]. Thus, institutional and organizational
installation by the police in Dhaka city.
breach of privacy is very commonplace now. For the
organizations’ own security and for the stakeholders whom ii. To examine the impact of CCTV installation on the
they are supposed to provide services, they need to maintain behavior of offenders.
the surveillance. In countries like Bangladesh, seemingly iii. To inspect the nature of crime-displacement due to the
very few of the people care for their privacy in terms of installation of CCTV.
CCTV surveillance, specially in public-places. It is however,
iv. To determine the changing patterns of crimes before and
very common that a disclaimer is hanging in places with such
after the implementation of CCTV surveillance process.
surveillance “CCTV is in operation”. In this way, Bangladesh
is trying to warn the people whom they are observing with
CCTV. 4. Method and Materials
2.8. Additional Features The study was conducted in different locations of Dhaka city
where police installed CCTV for their surveillance. Four
The use of some additional features and devices like
police stations from the Dhaka Metropolitan area were
microphones and loudspeakers together with CCTV and
selected for the purpose. The study included 200 respondents
other technological instruments may enhance the probability
who had their prior knowledge about the usage of CCTV in a
of controlling crime in a significant way [32]. For instance, in
particular area and agreed to answer the questionnaire
Istanbul, an integrated electronic system has been introduced,
voluntarily. From the jurisdiction of each police station, Fifty
which is named as Mobile electronic system integration
(50) respondents were selected purposively. Additionally, 40
(MOBESE). Enhancing the surveillance capacity, prevention
police personnel (10 from each police station) were
of disorder and crimes through deterrent are the key
interviewed with a semi-structured questionnaire. They were
objectives of this MOBESE like CCTV system. It helps to
also selected based on their availability in a judgmental way.
reduce the fear of crime also [33]. Environmental
Most of them were field level executives who had their direct
criminology generally focuses on the prevention of crime by
experience with the apprehension of offenders and criminal
understanding the nature of the crime and the locational
dealings. The sampling unit here was individuals having
details [34]. CCTV however, can work as a key component
knowledge about the actions of police about CCTV
for this crime prevention.
installation (Tables 1 and 2).
Some programs are also used in the detection of crimes. This
The summary of the research methodology, however, is as
type of software is capable of predicting how a particular
the following.
person would look like based on time progression or and in
Table 1. Summary of Research Methodology.

Research philosophy Positivist

Research approaches Inductive
Method of data collection Survey questionnaire and Semi structured questionnaire
Time horizon Cross-sectional
Convenience sampling method
Sample selection & sample size
Sample size: 200 respondents from 4 police station area and 40 police officers from 4 police stations (10 from each)
Primary: Interviewing respondents (survey questionnaire and semi-structured questionnaire)
Data types Sources of data
Secondary: Books, journal, publication, newspaper etc.
 Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Vol. 6, No. 2, 2020, pp. 48-59 52

Table 2. Number of Respondents from Each Police Station (Jurisdiction/ Zone/Area).

Geographic Coordinate Number of General People as Number of Police Personnel as

Area/ Name of the Police Stations
(Longitude, Latitude) Respondent Respondent
Dhanmondi Police Station Area 90.381512, 23.743268 50 10
Ramna Police Station Area 90.404599, 23.745646 50 10
Kotwali Police Station Area 90.409291, 23.707326 50 10
Uttara East Police Station Area 90.432665, 23.870914 50 10

Figure 1. Location of Selected Police Stations of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Researchers' Own Creation).
53 Md. Bashir Uddin Khan et al.: Impact of CCTV Surveillance on Crime Prevention: A Study in Dhaka City

5. Findings and Discussion they have identified 1 to 10 CC cameras in the jurisdiction of

the police station (about which they were asked questions),
5.1. Socio-Demographic Information whereas 14% of those respondents mentioned that they did not
know about the installation of any camera by police in the
Most of the respondents (23.5%) of this study belong to the
public places. Table 4 also shows that 22 percent of the
age group 21-25 years whereas only 5.5% of the respondents
respondents were able to identify 11 to 20 CC cameras
belong to the age group of 46 years and above. Another
installed by police. The number of identified CC cameras in
significant number of respondents (20.5%) belong to the age
the range of 21 to upwards is minimal in the study area. It is
group 26- 30 years. Here, the average age of the respondents
very natural that only the persons who know about the
is 30.12 years. It indicates that the majority of the
placement of CC cameras can be aware of their actions and
respondents are young who belong to the age group of 21-25
there may be a deterrent effect for them also, especially in case
years of age. About the sex variation of the respondents, the
of any potential crime commission. It indicates that the CCTVs
total number of 74.5% were male and (25.5%) were female
installed by policy lack better visibility by the common masses.
(Table 3). Therefore, it is derived that maximum male
If the visibility is not good, the deterrent effects of such
respondents were interviewed than female respondents
technology may become difficult. This mechanism may only
because of their willingness to respond voluntarily. Male
have some investigative value if the recordings are proper in
people were found as more interested to answer the
those cases but not any deterrent impact is possible.
questionnaire than the females in the study areas.
Table 4. Number of CCTV Cameras (installed by Police) Identified by the
Table 3. Age Group of the Respondents.
Respondents (n=200).
Age Group (Year) Number Percent
No of CC cameras installed Number Percent
Below to 20 22 11
1-10 66 33
21- 25 47 23.5
11-20 44 22
26- 30 41 20.5
Mean = 30.95 21- 30 26 13
31- 35 30 15
Median = 30 31- 40 19 9.5
36- 40 32 16
Mode = 30 41 to more 17 8.5
41 - 45 17 8.5
Don’t know 28 14.0
46 to Above 11 5.5
Total 200 100
Total 200 100
5.3.2. Impacts of CC Cameras on Particular
5.2. Locations of and Considerations Behind
Offences in Respondents’ View
CCTV Installation (n=40)
(n=200)
There are some considerations for the installation of CCTV in Three categories of offenses were determined in the study to
different locations of the jurisdictions of all police stations. understand the respondents’ perception of the relative impact
The considerations that the police personnel mentioned as they of CCTV on those crimes. These crimes were theft, snatching/
generally undergo before the installation of CCTV are the hijacking, and violent crimes (murder, rape, and beating). For
vulnerable or dangerous places (hotspots), crowded places, each of the offenses, most of the respondents replied that they
busy places, important places, entry points of the city, market consider that CCTV has a moderate impact on those offenses.
places, etc. The places that have been included there are A fewer percentage of the respondents consider that CCTV has
considerations by police officers based on their experiences. less impact on the reduction of those crimes. The least among
There was no prior research/investigation before the them have replied that CCTV has no impact at all on those
implementation of such CCTVs under the operation of police. crimes. It is, therefore, evident that people are considering that
CCTV may have a good deterrent impact on crimes. In most of
5.3. Impact of CCTV Installation on the
Behaviors of Offenders the cases, such statistics may indicate the common psychology
of the probable perpetrators also. It should be noted that only
5.3.1. Numbers of CCTV Cameras Identified habitual offenders do not always commit offenses. Sometimes
by the Respondents’ (Within Their people also may commit crimes when they get an opportunity.
Notice) That is why it is evident that CCTV may act as a common
People were asked about the number of CC cameras that they deterrent. However, most of the respondents think that CCTV
have identified under the jurisdiction of a particular police surveillance has less probability to have an impact on property-
station. A large number of respondents’ (33%) mentioned that related offenses (Table 5).
 Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Vol. 6, No. 2, 2020, pp. 48-59 54

Table 5. The Impacts of CC Cameras on the Prevention of following Offences (n=200).

Arguments
Offenses Value Total
No Impact Less Impact Moderate Impact Strong Impact
f 33 56 71 40 200
Theft
% 16.5 28 35.5 20 100
f 19 52 81 48 200
Snatching/ hijacking
% 9.5 26 40.5 24 100
f 37 51 68 44 200
Violent Crime (Murder, Rape, Beating)
% 18.5 25.5 34 22 100

5.3.3. Perception Analysis of Visible By analyzing the collected information from the police
Impacts of CCTV Installation on personnel, this study revealed 25% of respondents consider
Different Offences (n=40) CCTV as having a strong impact on the prevention of theft.
Semi-structured interviewing of the police officers yielded In the case of Snatching/ hijacking, the percentage is 25%
some realistic and experience-based findings in terms of and in case of preventing violent crimes (Murder, Rape,
getting the information regarding CCTVs’ impact on Beating) the percentage is also 25%. Besides, for all of these
different types of crime prevention. They were asked about crimes the frequency of impact is very high for the moderate
the impact of CC cameras on the prevention of different level impact of CCTV. For the mentioned three crimes the
offenses like theft, snatching/ hijacking and violent crimes percentages are 50, 40 and 45 consecutively. In the case of
(murder, rape, and beating) and support services like less impact, the percentage is 25, 35 and 30 consecutively.
emergency medical services/emergency aid in Bangladesh. No respondent from police personnel was found mentioning
This table identified police officers’ comments regarding CC that CCTV has no impact on crimes (Table 6).
cameras’ impact on the selected crimes.
Table 6. Visible Impact on CCTV Installation on Different Offences (n=40).

Arguments
Offences Value Total
No Impact Less Impact Moderate Impact Strong Impact
f - 10 20 10 40
Theft
% - 25 50 25 100
f - 14 16 10 40
Snatching/ hijacking
% - 35 40 25 100
f - 12 18 10 40
Violent Crime (Murder, Rape, Beating) % - 30 45 25 100

general people and that of the police officers. Police officers

5.3.4. The Difference in the Behavior of the think that CCTV must have an impact on crimes whether
Probable Offenders Between Pre-
those may be less, moderate or strong whereas, many
installation and Post-installation of
common people believe that CCTV may not have an impact
CC Cameras (n=200)
on the selected crimes.
The perception of the respondents (common people) about
the difference in the perceived behavior of the probable Table 7. Difference in the Behavior of the Probable Offenders between
offenders between pre and post-installation of CCTV in their Before and After the Installation of CC Camera in this Area (n=200).

respective areas was measured in the study. These responses Difference found Number Percent
indicate that a major portion of them (41%) responded as No 9 4.5
Less 43 21.5
CCTV can put a moderate impact on the behavior of Moderate 82 41.0
probable offenders whereas 4.5% of them mentioned that Significant 52 26.0
they did not perceive any difference among the behavior of Don't Know 14 7.0
Total 200 100.0
probable offenders. 21.5% found less and 26% found
significant differences between the crime patterns before and 5.3.5. Impact of CCTV on the Behavior of
after the installation of CCTV (Table 7). So it is obvious that Common People (n=200)
people are either expecting or experiencing some positive Most of the respondents (71.5%) mentioned that the
changes in the behavior of probable offenders due to the installation of CCTV changes the behavior of people
installation of CC cameras in their areas. positively whereas 28.5% of the respondents mentioned the
Here, one difference appears between the responses of the change as negative. This actually puts an impact on the
55 Md. Bashir Uddin Khan et al.: Impact of CCTV Surveillance on Crime Prevention: A Study in Dhaka City

deterrent aspect of crimes or on the fear of the offenders for Table 11. Displacement of the Offenders after the Installation of CC
Cameras (n=40).
being identified easily (Table 8).
displacement of the offenders Frequency Percent
Table 8. Whether CCTV Changes the Behavior of People. Yes 26 65.0
No change 4 10.0
Changes in the behavior of people Frequency Percent
Little change 10 25.0
Yes 143 71.5 Total 40 100.0
No 57 28.5
Total 200 100.0
5.4.2. Which Offences are Generally
If Yes, How much has it Changed the Behavior of People (n=143)? Influenced Because of CCTV
Installation (n=40)?
Perception of the respondents about the frequency of changes
in the behavior of people due to the installation of CCTV. This study also identified some offenses which are generally
Most of the respondents (74.5%) mentioned that CCTV does influenced by CCTV installation from the police personnel.
not play any role in changing the behavior of people always According to this study, the rate of reduction of crime due to
but it changes the behavior sometimes. However, around the CCTV installation is higher for serious crimes and petty
one-fourth of the respondents think that CCTV always offenses. For other crimes like hijacking and theft, the
changes the human nature of the action (Table 9). reduction is minimal based on the police personnel’s opinion.
It is to be noted that the police personnel’s comment for this
Table 9. Frequency of Changes of People’s Behavior Due to CCTV (n=143). question was not location-based. Rather, this was a
Frequency of change Frequency Percent generalized observation of them which is not supported by
Always Changes 35 24.5 empirical data analysis (Table 12).
Sometimes Changes 108 74.5
Total 143 100.0 Table 12. Offences that are Generally Influenced by CCTV Installation.

5.4. Nature of Crime Displacement Due to Crime Frequency Percent

All Crimes 4 10.0
the Installation of CCTV
Theft 4 10.0
Petty Offence 10 25.0
5.4.1. Crime Displacement to Another Area
Serious Crimes 16 40.0
After the Installation of CC Cameras Hijacking 6 15.0
(n=200 and n=40)) Total 40 100.0
Respondents’ (common people) perception about the
5.5. Impacts of CCTV on Criminal
displacement of offenders to another area due to the installation
Investigation (Perception of Police
of CC Cameras in one place was revealed in the study. Most of Personnel)
the respondents (52%) consider that displacement of the
offenders happens whereas 48% of the respondents disagreed on 5.5.1. Usual Way of Responding (n=40)
that (Table 10). It is a general concept that crime displacement The police personnel was asked about their usual way of
happens when any intervention is taken in any area to prevent responding in terms of CCTV recordings of everyday
crime. That is why it is important to address such interventions incidents. Most of them replied that they have a regular
and their subsequent impact on the people. Otherwise, the monitoring process where they keep careful observation of
reduction of crimes in one place may be supplemented by the every location and try to use proactive policing for problem-
increase of crime in another place. solving. Many of them replied that they are mostly associated
The perception of the police personnel about the with taking steps based on the recordings if they get any
displacement of the offenders to another area after the complaints from any other person (Table 13).
installation of CC Cameras is almost similar. Most of them
Table 13. Usual Way of Respondents.
(65%) mentioned positively that displacement of the
Way of responding Frequency Percent
offenders occur whereas 10% of the respondents mentioned
After receiving a complaint 16 40.0
negatively about displacement. Moderately the same findings Monitoring 24 60.0
were s found from general and ordinary people (Table 11). Total 40 100.0

Table 10. The Displacement of the Offenders to another Area after the 5.5.2. Frequency of Taking Action Based on
Installation of CC Cameras (n=200). the Recordings of CCTV (n=40)
Offender Displacement Occurred Frequency Percent Another question was asked how often they take action using
Yes 104 52.0 their CCTV footage and recordings. Responses indicate the
No 96 48.0
Total 200 100.0 frequency of taking action based on the recordings of CCTV.
 Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Vol. 6, No. 2, 2020, pp. 48-59 56

Most of the respondents (50%) mentioned that they often 5.6.3. Satisfaction with the Installation of
prefer to take action, 20% mentioned that they always prefer CCTV (n=200)
to take action and 30 percent of them mentioned that less The study investigated the feelings of happiness of the
frequently they prefer to take action based on CCTV footage respondents in the course of the installation of CCTV in these
(Table 14). locations. Most of the respondents (62%) mentioned that they
are satisfied whereas 2% of the respondents that feel
Table 14. The frequency of Taking Action based on the Recordings of CCTV.
dissatisfied with the frequent CCTV installation. Additionally,
Frequency of taking action Frequency Percent 36% mentioned that they don’t have any idea about the utility
Always 8 20.0
Often 20 50.0 of these cameras and that is why they remained neutral. So it
Sometime 12 30.0 is clear that the installation of CCTV in these locations create
Total 40 100.0 feelings of satisfaction and safeness among most of the
people irrespective of their actual usage (Table 17).
5.6. People’s Overall Attitude Towards the
Installation of CCTV Table 17. Satisfaction with the Installation of CCTV (n=200).
5.6.1. Feeling of Safeness in the Presence Whether Satisfied with the Installation Frequency Percent
of CCTV in any Location (n=200) Yes 124 62.0
No 4 2.0
The feeling of safeness of the people may be influenced by Neutral 72 36.0
the presence of CCTV in any location. Most of the Total 200 100.0
respondents (63%) mentioned that they feel safe whereas 1.5%
of respondents feel unsafe due to the privacy issue in the 5.6.4. Whether the Number of CCTV Camera
Should Be Increased (n=200)
presence of CCTV (Table 15). Moreover, 23% think that it
has no impact on their feeling of safeness. So it is clear that The perception of the respondents on whether the number of
the presence of CCTV in any location creates the safety CCTV cameras should computer-mediated yielded
feelings among most of the people thinking that they are in interesting answers. Most of the respondents (76%)
the presence of at least a capable guardian. mentioned positively that CCTV camera needs to be
increased although many of them are not happy with the
Table 15. Safety Feelings in the Presence of CCTV. present installation process, whereas 5.5% respondents gave
Safety Feelings Frequency Percent negative answer on that. Moreover, still, 19% of the
Very Safe 25 12.5 respondents were not sure about their opinion about it (Table
Safe 126 63.0 18).
No impact 46 23.0
Unsafe 3 1.5
Total 200 100.0 Table 18. Whether the Number of CCTV Camera should be Increased.

the number of CCTV camera should be

5.6.2. Whether CCTV Hampers Privacy Frequency Percent
increased
(n=200) Yes 152 76.0
No 11 5.5
It is a matter of consideration whether CCTV cameras Not Sure 38 19.0
hampers the privacy of people or whether they consider that Total 200 100.0
they hamper such privacy. Most of the respondents (86%) in
5.7. Efficiency Measures by Police
this study mentioned that CCTV cameras did not hamper
Personnel
their privacy whereas 14% of respondents mentioned that it
doses (Table 16). Many people think that if any incident 5.7.1. Common People’s Perception of the
occurs in any public in their presence, the police may be Positions of Close-Circuit Cameras
called by the criminal justice professionals if any incident Many of the respondents (common people) think that all the
happens by any chance there. In this way, they are afraid of CCTV cameras that were placed in different locations are not
their probable involvement in any unwanted incident and the in the right place. Most of the respondents think that some of
adjudication process. the cameras are in the right place and some are in the wrong
place. It is also true that a good number of people think that
Table 16. Whether CCTV camera Hampers Privacy.
most of the cameras are in the right places. It is, therefore,
Whether CCTV camera hampers privacy Frequency Percent important to conduct a security survey prior to the
Yes 28 14.0
No 172 86.0 installation of CC cameras so that these can serve all the
Total 200 100.0 purposes that they are supposed to do (Table 19).
57 Md. Bashir Uddin Khan et al.: Impact of CCTV Surveillance on Crime Prevention: A Study in Dhaka City

Table 19. Whether the Positions of CCTV are Right. Table 22. Initiatives Taken by the Police Officers in case of Dysfunctionality.

Perceptions Frequency Percent Initiatives taken Frequency Percent

Yes 69 34.5 Inform higher authority 28 70.0
No 26 13.0 Inform CCTV unit 10 25.0
Some are right and some are not 105 52.5 No action is taken 2 5.0
Total 200 100.0 Total 40 100.0

5.7.2. Attitudes of Field-level Officers

About the Frequent Installation of 6. Discussion and Analysis
CCTV in Different Locations (n=40)
A good security survey is quite essential to cover any specific
The police officers answered the question about their location by close circuit television. However, in the studied
attitudes as field-level officers on the frequent installation of area, from the responses of the police officers, it becomes
CCTV in different locations. A significant number of them obvious that there is a lack of security survey by the expert or
mentioned that the attitudes of field-level officers are good professionals. In terms of location-selection, only some
whereas only a negligible portion of them are not very much arbitrary generic strategy was adopted which may not be very
satisfied with it. Sometimes police officers need to work in a much cost-effective and efficient. The number of CCTV
flexible manner. If the police officers are always under cameras and the areas covered by those (which are
security surveillance, their feeling of being filmed may cause maintained by police) are very limited in Dhaka city.
efficiency challenges. For this reason, some of the police However, the impact of CCTV cameras is not negligible. It
officers are not very satisfied with the frequent installation of further needs a combined approach to cover all the major
CCTV although, they are benefited from these devices (Table intersections and key points of the city under a complex
20). CCTV networking. Like many other countries, this system
Table 20. Attitudes of Field-level Officers about the Frequent Installation of
may be incorporated by artificial intelligence or face
CCTV in Different Locations. recognition techniques.
The attitudes of field-level officers Frequency Percent A good number of the respondents (from the common people)
Moderate 28 70.0 do not know about the installation of CC cameras in the
Not very satisfied 2 5.0
Satisfied 10 25.0 jurisdiction of their concerned police station. It is obvious
Total 40 100.0 that they are not very much cautious about their activities in
the area under surveillance. If the camera is not placed in
5.7.3. Maintenance of CCTV Cameras (n=40) visible places, it may not have any deterrent impact. So, it
A large number of police officers (45%) mentioned positively may be effective only in the cases of investigation, not in
whereas 30% mentioned negatively about the functionality of creating any deterrent impact on the probable offenders. In a
CCTV cameras. Moreover, 25% mentioned that many similar way, the number of CCTV cameras should be
cameras have lost their functionality (Table 21). It seems that sufficient so that people can feel safe from the fear of crime.
a continuous maintenance plan should be chalked out for
However, many of the general people are still not aware of
maintaining the cameras and the system well.
the privacy issue. It is, therefore, necessary for the police to
Table 21. The Functionality of the Cameras. inform the people about their surveillance points so that any
privacy issue does not appear later on. In case of such
Functionality of cameras Frequency Percent
No 12 30.0 surveillance, they can be filmed without their consent, which
Some work, some does not 10 25.0 is a questionable issue and contrary to the common ideal
Yes 18 45.0 legal assumption of the country.
Total 40 100.0
Placement of CCTV in a sequential way and as a part of a
5.7.4. Initiatives Taken by Police Officers great network may change the picture of the whole city. The
When CC Cameras Loses Their locational presence of the police stations based on necessity
Functionality (n=40)
is another important issue behind this. CCTV should be
About the initiative the police officers take in case of placed on the highway also for preventing and detecting
dysfunctionality of CCTV cameras, they replied that most of vehicle-related crimes and property crimes. This is very
them (70%) inform it to the higher authority, 25% inform it essential to apprehend that prevention is the better solution
to the unit responsible for the maintenance of CCTV, whereas than arresting the offenders and supporting the victims
5% mentioned the take no action directly in this regard
Police need to focus on the displacement of offenses as
(Table 22).
crimes generally displace to those places where the criminals
 Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Vol. 6, No. 2, 2020, pp. 48-59 58

are less likely to be identified. Any reduction of crimes in any References

area necessarily needs to understand whether the offenders
are arrested, rectified or displaced. Otherwise, the overall [1] D. P. Farrington and B. C. Welsh, “Improved street lighting
and crime prevention,” Justice Q., vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 313–342,
crime rate would be the same. Jun. 2002, doi: 10.1080/07418820200095261.
CCTV has been proved to be less effective in different [2] L. J. Fennelly, Handbook of loss prevention and crime
countries because of many reasons. In spite of this reality, prevention. Amsterdam; Boston: Elsevier Butterworth
technological advancement has made the device more Heinemann, 2004.
powerful. It may help people to give a relief that they are [3] H. Kruegle, CCTV Surveillance: Video Practices and
under the surveillance of the police. If the privacy issue is Technology. Oxford: Elsevier Science, 2011.
minimized by proper notification to the public, it can be an [4] M. Tonry and D. P. Farrington, “Strategic Approaches to
important instrument for the detection and prevention of Crime Prevention,” Crime Justice, vol. 19, pp. 1–20, Jan.
crimes. 1995, doi: 10.1086/449228.

In Bangladesh, still, there is no good experimental research [5] W. J. Mackey and B. J. Courtney, “Advances in Technology
and Policing: 21st Century America,” in Law Enforcement and
on the impact of CCTV on crime prevention. Rigorous Technology, A. Bain, Ed. London: Palgrave Macmillan UK,
research on such issues can provide important insights 2016, pp. 27–45.
regarding the best way of installing CCTV in different
[6] M. P. J. Ashby, “The Value of CCTV Surveillance Cameras as
locations. However, no such information is kept an Investigative Tool: An Empirical Analysis,” Eur. J. Crim.
systematically in the police stations so that it would be Policy Res., vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 441–459, Sep. 2017, doi:
possible to compare the crime statistics of pre and post- 10.1007/s10610-017-9341-6.
installation of CCTV. There should be some specific [7] B. Sheldon, “Camera surveillance within the UK: Enhancing
protocols for the operation of CCTV and the legal system public safety or a social threat?,” Int. Rev. Law Comput.
Technol., vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 193–203, Nov. 2011, doi:
should encounter necessary changes for using those as 10.1080/13600869.2011.617494.
evidence.
[8] O. M. Enerstvedt, “Aviation Security Technologies,” in
Aviation Security, Privacy, Data Protection and Other Human
Rights: Technologies and Legal Principles, vol. 37, Cham:
7. Conclusion and Springer International Publishing, 2017, pp. 205–305.
Recommendations [9] B. J. Doran and M. B. Burgess, “Future Avenues for Fear
CCTV is a good instrument for starting an investigation and a MappingFear mapping : Potential Applications and
Improvements,” in Putting Fear of Crime on the Map, New
great tool for making deterrent effects on probable offenders. York, NY: Springer New York, 2012, pp. 251–267.
Though its starting is not very new in this country, still a lack
[10] M. F. H. Hirsch Ballin, “The System of Criminal Investigation
of well-organized set-up of this system is visible. A planned in the United States,” in Anticipative Criminal Investigation,
installation of a high-quality CCTV system with the capacity The Hague, The Netherlands: T. M. C. Asser Press, 2012, pp.
building of police personnel for taking the full utility of the 277–383.
system is thereby utmost necessary. Lack of a well- [11] A. Stutzer and M. Zehnder, “Is camera surveillance an
documented approach in understanding the comparative effective measure of counterterrorism?,” Def. Peace Econ.,
advantage of CCTV is very difficult in the existing policing vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 1–14, Feb. 2013, doi:
10.1080/10242694.2011.650481.
system of Dhaka city and the whole of Bangladesh as well.
Therefore, a research-intensive strategic adaptation may help [12] O. Kounadi, K. Bowers, and M. Leitner, “Crime Mapping On-
line: Public Perception of Privacy Issues,” Eur. J. Crim. Policy
police to adopt this system within the organizational Res., vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 167–190, Mar. 2015, doi:
formality. Other than having a great orientation and the 10.1007/s10610-014-9248-4.
attachment of the field level officers with this technology, the
[13] K. S. Williams and C. Johnstone, “The politics of the selective
success of this system will be a far reach. All the prime gaze: Closed Circuit Television and the policing of public
locations and the hot spots should undergo a proper survey space,” pp. 183–210, 2000.
for understanding the required numbers and probable [14] C. W. R. Webster, “Evolving standards and regulation:
positions of CCTV cameras for the best coverage. A wide Exploring the development and provision of closed circuit
approach combining comprehensive networking through television in the United Kingdom,” Knowl. Technol. Policy,
vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 82–103, Jun. 2004, doi: 10.1007/s12130-
police headquarters and police stations may allow the police 004-1026-z.
department of Dhaka city to get the greater benefit of the
system. [15] D. Marshall and T. Thomas, “Photographs, CCTVs and Other
Cameras,” in Privacy and Criminal Justice, Cham: Springer
International Publishing, 2017, pp. 127–151.
59 Md. Bashir Uddin Khan et al.: Impact of CCTV Surveillance on Crime Prevention: A Study in Dhaka City

[16] J. van Heek, K. Arning, and M. Ziefle, “The Surveillance Educ. Res. J., vol. 35, no. 6, pp. 891–907, Dec. 2009, doi:
Society: Which Factors Form Public Acceptance of 10.1080/01411920902834233.
Surveillance Technologies?,” in Smart Cities, Green
Technologies, and Intelligent Transport Systems, vol. 738, M. [27] L. Dubbeld, “The role of technology in shaping CCTV
Helfert, C. Klein, B. Donnellan, and O. Gusikhin, Eds. Cham: surveillance practices,” Inf. Commun. Soc., vol. 8, no. 1, pp.
Springer International Publishing, 2017, pp. 170–191. 84–100, Mar. 2005, doi: 10.1080/13691180500067142.

[17] B. Schafer, “Crowdsourcing and cloudsourcing CCTV [28] J. V. D. Hoven and P. E. Vermaas, “Nano-Technology and
surveillance,” Datenschutz Datensicherheit - DuD, vol. 37, no. Privacy: On Continuous Surveillance Outside the Panopticon,”
7, pp. 434–439, Jul. 2013, doi: 10.1007/s11623-013-0173-3. J. Med. Philos., vol. 32, no. 3, pp. 283–297, May 2007, doi:
10.1080/03605310701397040.
[18] S. Stalla-Bourdillon, “Privacy Versus Security… Are We Done
Yet?,” in Privacy vs. Security, London: Springer London, [29] E. J. Ottensmeyer and M. A. Heroux, “Ethics, public policy,
2014, pp. 1–90. and managing advanced technologies: The case of electronic
surveillance,” J. Bus. Ethics, vol. 10, no. 7, pp. 519–526, Jul.
[19] J. H. Ratcliffe, T. Taniguchi, and R. B. Taylor, “The Crime 1991, doi: 10.1007/BF00383350.
Reduction Effects of Public CCTV Cameras: A Multi ‐
Method Spatial Approach,” Justice Q., vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 746– [30] R. M. Chory, L. E. Vela, and T. A. Avtgis, “Organizational
770, Dec. 2009, doi: 10.1080/07418820902873852. Surveillance of Computer-Mediated Workplace
Communication: Employee Privacy Concerns and Responses,”
[20] J. M. Caplan, L. W. Kennedy, and G. Petrossian, “Police- Empl. Responsib. Rights J., vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 23–43, Mar.
monitored CCTV cameras in Newark, NJ: A quasi- 2016, doi: 10.1007/s10672-015-9267-4.
experimental test of crime deterrence,” J. Exp. Criminol., vol.
7, no. 3, pp. 255–274, Sep. 2011, doi: 10.1007/s11292-011- [31] M. Cayford and W. Pieters, “The effectiveness of surveillance
9125-9. technology: What intelligence officials are saying,” Inf. Soc.,
vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 88–103, Mar. 2018, doi:
[21] H. Lim and P. Wilcox, “Crime-Reduction Effects of Open- 10.1080/01972243.2017.1414721.
street CCTV: Conditionality Considerations,” Justice Q., vol.
34, no. 4, pp. 597–626, Jun. 2017, doi: [32] D. Klitou, “Public Space CCTV Microphones and
10.1080/07418825.2016.1194449. Loudspeakers: The Ears and Mouth of ‘Big Brother,’” in
Privacy-Invading Technologies and Privacy by Design, vol.
[22] E. J. Kindt, “The Risks Involved upon the Use of Biometric 25, The Hague: T. M. C. Asser Press, 2014, pp. 113–155.
Data and Biometric Systems,” in Privacy and Data Protection
Issues of Biometric Applications, Dordrecht: Springer [33] S. Kula and A. Guler, “Smart Public Safety: Application of
Netherlands, 2013, pp. 275–401. Mobile Electronic System Integration (MOBESE) in Istanbul,”
in Smarter as the New Urban Agenda, J. R. Gil-Garcia, T. A.
[23] D. Weisburd, Ed., Crime mapping and crime prevention. Pardo, and T. Nam, Eds. Cham: Springer International
Monsey, NY: Criminal Justice Press, 1998. Publishing, 2016, pp. 243–258.

[24] D. P. Farrington, M. Gill, S. J. Waples, and J. Argomaniz, [34] B. Leclerc, Y.-N. Chiu, J. Cale, and A. Cook, “Sexual
“The effects of closed-circuit television on crime: meta- Violence Against Women Through the Lens of Environmental
analysis of an English national quasi-experimental multi-site Criminology: Toward the Accumulation of Evidence-based
evaluation,” J. Exp. Criminol., vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 21–38, Mar. Knowledge and Crime Prevention,” Eur. J. Crim. Policy Res.,
2007, doi: 10.1007/s11292-007-9024-2. vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 593–617, Dec. 2016, doi: 10.1007/s10610-
015-9300-z.
[25] B. C. Welsh and D. P. Farrington, “Public Area CCTV and
Crime Prevention: An Updated Systematic Review and [35] E. Nissan, “The Forensic Disciplines: Some Areas of Actual or
Meta‐Analysis,” Justice Q., vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 716–745, Dec. Potential Application,” in Computer Applications for
2009, doi: 10.1080/07418820802506206. Handling Legal Evidence, Police Investigation and Case
Argumentation, Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, 2012, pp.
[26] A. Hope, “CCTV, school surveillance and social control,” Br. 841–989.