Surveillance Cameras

Nowadays, we can see the number of CCTV cameras increase very fast in public areas. For example, a few years ago, there were up to 4.2 million CCTV cameras in operation in the UK. The advantages of these cameras are that they are preventing and fighting crimes. By viewing camera tapes, authorities are able to identify suspicious activities or they can use the images from cameras that are recorded as evidence. For example, surveillance cameras played vital roles in providing evidence for September 11 and the London bombing cases.
CCTV cameras may not be able to prevent terrorist attacks, but they are preventing a lot of other small crimes such as theft. Customers walking into the banks that have lots of cameras around would feel safer and believe that their money was protected.

Another advantage of CCTV camera is that they help beat traffic jams. By viewing the road traffic situation online through the internet, people can decide which road, or when, they should leave home or their offices, so that they can avoid adding to peak traffic jams.

However, there are some disadvantages of CCTV cameras. What happens if the police catch innocent citizens by mistake due to misidentification of the film. Also, some people say CCTV cameras are not effective when for instance, control rooms are lelf un-staffed and they are an invasion of privacy.

Although CCTV cameras have some disadvantages, I do believe they have more positive aspects than negative. I don't feel bothered by cameras in public areas. They make me feel safer. I think "if you're not doing anything wrong, you have nothing to hide".