Do the public have access to CCTV footage if they are witnesses of a crime?

Question

I witnessed a woman being assaulted about a month ago but was appalled at how the police handled the situation.

I complained to the police about how some of the officers handled the incident and the police replied by saying that they were investigating the service provided but the woman was not assaulted.

I actually saw the woman being kicked in the head so I know she was assaulted but the police are saying that the CCTV footage doesn't show the offender assaulting the woman but actually shows him trying to pick her up off the floor (the woman was drunk).

I want access to the CCTV footage to prove that the woman was assaulted and to prove the police did not indeed handle the incident properly. Am I able to view the footage?... Anyone know?

Thanks x

Answer 1

You are only a legal witness if you are called as one.  The cctv footage may or may not be available to you, depending on who recorded it and where the recordings are.  The footage has probably already been recorded over or erased.

Answer 2

from a layman pt of view.....

i dont think so but you can put it up as a civil case against the police and maybe get a lawyer to get the warrant to view it as it is a case of abuse of authority

Answer 3

there was a programme on TV not so long ago about CCTV coverage. Apparantly if you know you have been captured on camera then you are entitled to a copy of yourself. You go to the local council and ask there. I don't know if you can get coverage of anyone else though, sorry. I wouldn't stop there though, if you know you are right then you should complain to the chief of police, you are able to get their number from the police station and they have to inform you of action/ outcome I am sure. Good luck!