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Can we use facial recognition CCTV in a public car park? UK Car Parks CCTV rules explained 2026

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Can we use facial recognition CCTV in a public car park? UK Car Parks CCTV rules explained 2026

Can we use facial recognition CCTV in a public car park?

The short answer is that it is extremely complex and highly regulated, requiring exceptional justification under UK law. Facial recognition data is considered 'biometric data,' which falls under the special category of personal data protected by the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA). Implementing such technology requires you to prove that the use is absolutely necessary, proportionate, and that all less intrusive methods have been exhausted. Simply wanting to improve security is not enough; you must demonstrate a clear, specific risk that only FRT can mitigate. Furthermore, you must conduct a rigorous Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) before deployment, and you should assume that the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) will demand high levels of transparency regarding its operation and data retention. Private companies often face significant legal hurdles, and the technology is generally viewed with caution by legal experts unless used in extreme circumstances, such as high-risk industrial sites.

More questions about Car Parks:

Do we need to tell people that CCTV is recording them in a car park?

Yes, absolutely. UK law requires that you provide clear, visible, and easily understood signage at the entry points and throughout the car park itself. This signage must prominently display the nature of the recording (i.e., CCTV in operation), who the recording belongs to, and how individuals can exercise their data subject rights (e.g., requesting access or deletion). This requirement ensures compliance with the ICO guidelines and establishes the necessary transparency for both the data controller and the public.

Yes, ANPR systems are generally considered legitimate for security and loss prevention purposes, but they must still comply with data protection law. Recording vehicle data constitutes processing personal data, so you must establish a lawful basis, such as 'legitimate interest' under Article 6 of the UK GDPR. It is best practice to limit the data collected strictly to what is necessary (e.g., only capturing the plate number and time/date of entry/exit) and to implement robust data retention policies to ensure records are deleted promptly once they are no longer required.

Are we allowed to monitor people walking outside the car park entrance?

Monitoring areas outside the direct scope of the car park, such as adjoining pavements or public footpaths, significantly increases your legal risk and is generally discouraged. Your CCTV coverage must be strictly limited to the area you own or manage and where you have a legitimate interest in monitoring. If you capture footage of public areas, you must take immediate steps to crop out or blur identifiable data that is not relevant to the security purpose, ensuring you only record what is necessary for the investigation.

Must we share car park footage with the local police or insurance companies?

You have the right to control your data, meaning you cannot share footage without a lawful basis. Sharing footage with third parties, including the police or insurance firms, requires careful consideration and usually involves obtaining the data subject's consent or demonstrating that the sharing is strictly necessary for a specific, legally defined purpose. Before sharing, you must review your internal policies to ensure that the data transfer is proportionate and that the recipient organisation is also compliant with UK data protection standards.

For free CCTV surveys and professional advice, call us: Phone: 07830 638 337

GitHub Portfolio: https://github.com/gazpearce/gary-ai-assistant

For a detailed guide on CCTV legal requirements: https://cctvsystems.notion.site/35e5b433f5b58140b23feb885d8e22f7

Gary Pearce | 07830 638 337 | https://github.com/gazpearce/gary-ai-assistant