A SECURITY expert says thousands of CCTV cameras could soon be being operated illegally in the North-East following changes in legislation.

Michael Wilkinson, a former North-East policeman, says as many as 7,000 people registered in the North-East as operating public space surveillance cameras face a race against time to acquire a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence.

This includes employees, managers, supervisors and directors of security companies.

"If you operate public space CCTV, you have until March 20 to become qualified and licensed or you will be committing a criminal offence," says Mr Wilkinson, who now runs DataCom Interactive, a training consultancy serving the security sector.

CCTV operators are the latest group to be affected by changes in the Security Industry Act, following crackdowns on security guards, vehicle clampers and door supervisors.

"The new legislation affects anyone who pro-actively monitors the activities of members of the public, whether they are in public areas or on private property; or use recorded CCTV images to identify individuals or to investigate their activities," said Mr Wilkinson

His company, DataCom Interactive, based in Darlington, has been approved by the SIA to run courses for CCTV operators and security guards.

The four-day course covers the codes of practice, operational procedures and guidelines for CCTV operations, including legislation and surveillance techniques.

For more information, visit www.the-SIA.org.uk, or call DataCom Interactive on 01325 359555 or visit www.datacominteractive.co.uk