Public camera surveillance
Cameras belonging to the municipality have been installed in many public spots in The Hague. These cameras are there to prevent crime and nuisance on the streets. Such as violence, robberies and drug dealing.
When a neighbourhood is experiencing problems with safety on the street or nuisance, the municipality takes security measures. The mayor decides to hang up cameras if other security measures have not proven effective. The cameras monitor the area. This helps makes the neighbourhood safe again, together with the aid of other security measures, the residents and the police. The amount of time the cameras remain in place depends on the nature of the problem.
Advantages of camera surveillance
Using camera surveillance has several advantages. For example, cameras ensure that:
- nuisance and violence are reduced
- police can more easily track down and prosecute crime suspects
- a sense of security is created in a neighbourhood
Camera surveillance in The Hague
There are approximately 106 cameras hanging in a fixed spot in The Hague. These cameras can be found:
- in streets around the Hollands Spoor train station and The Hague’s Central Station
- in shopping areas: Herengracht, Korte Poten, Plein, Lange Poten, Vlamingstraat, Laan, Spuistraat, Stationsweg, Wagenstraat and Grote Marktstraat
- in red light districts: Geleenstraat, Hunsestraat and Doubletstraat
- along the coast, the Strandweg and the boulevard in Scheveningen
In addition the municipality has approximately 22 flexible (mobile) cameras. The municipality decides every year whether these are still needed. They are installed in places where there is ongoing nuisance due to criminality and youth. Examples include the Delftselaan, Kaapseplein, Hoefkade and Koningstraat.
Reviewing the images
Specialised police officers review the images on the cameras. The police store the images for 28 days. The police can also use the images at a later date to track down suspects of a crime. Camera images can only be accessed and preserved by filing a report with the police. This must be done within 7 days.
Strict conditions
The use of camera surveillance is subject to strict rules. The cameras are used only to monitor the public space (spaces open to the public, outdoor spaces). Police and the courts may only use the recorded images under strict conditions. They use the images only to help prove a punishable offence.
How to recognise camera surveillance
The cameras are installed in places where you can see them. There are also signs indicating that there is camera surveillance. This Begin link: map of the city, end link. shows you exactly where there is camera surveillance. The spots where cameras have been placed are coloured on the map. The map has a red colour at the spots where there are fixed cameras. And blue at the spots where there are temporary cameras.
Report nuisance in the public space
When the police apply for additional camera surveillance they can include reports of nuisance by residents. The number of cameras and the possibilities for viewing their footage are limited. That is why the police have to make choices. The mayor ultimately decides whether an area will get camera surveillance. The mayor decides this in consultation with the police chief and the public prosecutor (the triangle).
You can report crime by calling the police on tel. 0900-8844. Or call the municipality on tel. 14070 from Monday to Friday between 8.30 and 17.00 hrs. You can also send an email to Begin link: veiligheidsregisseur@denhaag.nl, end link. . Indicate in your report where the problem is. Also describe the nuisance you are experiencing and whether you have already had contact with the police.
Other forms of camera surveillance
In addition to camera surveillance by the police, the municipality’s enforcement team also conducts camera surveillance trials. These trials involved Begin link: camera surveillance by waste containers, end link. . And monitoring crowds at Scheveningen. There are also cameras to monitor the environment and traffic.