Scottish local authorities still using Chinese government-linked surveillance cameras despite security and human rights concerns 

Scottish local authorities and police are still using Chinese government-linked surveillance cameras despite security and human rights concerns raised by MPs four years ago.

At least 22 councils have cameras supplied by Hikvision installed across their sites with nine local authorities serving more than 1.5 million people using them for public space CCTV, a Times investigation found.

The UK Government’s foreign affairs committee urged the government to ban Hikvision from operating in the UK in 2021 after finding the company’s surveillance cameras were used in detention camps for the Uyghur ethnic minority group in China’s Xinjiang province.

A report found: “The Committee recommends that the Government forbids surveillance companies like Hikvision – which provide surveillance equipment to the detention camps – from operating in the UK. Hikvision cameras currently operate throughout the UK, in leisure centres and even schools.”

The company, which has its UK headquarters in Uxbridge, said the allegations were ‘unsubstantiated and not underpinned by evidence’ in a wide-ranging repudiation of the committee’s findings.

Despite the UK government introducing a partial ban on using the firm’s equipment in November 2022, it only applies to ‘sensitive’ sites, and councils have been among the public sector bodies allowed to continue using them.

In the US, an import ban was introduced in the same year, applying to Hikvision and other Chinese security companies, ”for the purpose of public safety, security of government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes”.

Here, the government has continued to face questions about the scope of the ban, and former deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said the UK faced a “threat” due to the “increasing capability and connectivity” of surveillance systems.

Former Cabinet Office minister and Tory peer Lucy Neville-Rolfe said in a written statement in April last year that “local authorities may choose to follow the lead of central government in removing surveillance equipment” but that “they are under no obligation to do so.”

Clarifying the scope of the ban, she said: “Sensitive sites were defined “as any building or complex that routinely holds secret material or above; any location that hosts a significant proportion of officials holding developed vetting clearance; any location which is routinely used by Ministers; and any government location covered under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.”

In Scotland, there is no statutory oversight of public space CCTV, despite an offer to Ministers by the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner. The Scottish Government has committed to removing Hikvision cameras from its estate, but Police Scotland continue to use the cameras extensively across the country.

Former senior police officer Dr Brian Plastow told Futurescot: “I have previously highlighted to the Parliament that Scotland does not have a coherent strategy for the network of public space safety cameras and have said that I would welcome expansion of remit into this space should Scottish Ministers wish. 

“On Hikvision, my remit also does not extend to private companies and (unlike the England and Wales Commissioner) I do not receive any UK Government intelligence briefings.

“Police Scotland also receives up to date threat assessments from the UK Intelligence Community and will always act accordingly. As I say, I do not receive such intelligence circulations and UK national security is reserved to Westminster.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson added: “There are a large number of CCTV cameras across the Police Scotland estate and a number of these will be designed by Hikvision or include Hikvision components. 

“Additionally, a number of the cameras used by Police Scotland are owned by local authorities.

“We are aware of the issues raised by the Foreign Affairs Committee and will continue to engage with the Scottish Government.”

According to the Times, the only Scottish local authorities that confirmed they do not use Hikvision cameras were Highland, Orkney and Stirling. Six local authorities did not respond to repeated requests for information and every other Scottish council continues to use Hikvision, the paper reported.

Glasgow city council said it did not use public space CCTV cameras manufactured by Chinese companies, and Aberdeen city council relied on a statement by the UK’s chief security officer Vincent Devine that the ban does not extend to public authorities or police stations.

According to the Times, the councils using Hikvision equipment for public space CCTV are East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Falkirk, Midlothian, North Lanarkshire, Perth and Kinross and South Lanarkshire.

Hikvision said: “The government’s decision endorses the security credentials of Hikvision’s products, and adds to a growing consensus around the safety and integrity of Hikvision technology across the UK and Ireland, as well as internationally.”