Objective and Mission

  1. Review the actual effectiveness of surveillance systems and procedures used in Europe in preventing / reducing crime; and in tracking evidence for improved prosecutions of crimes and acts of terrorism.
  2. Identify and examine the social and economic costs involved in the adoption and implementation of identified surveillance systems and procedures.
  3. Determine the legal basis adopted for these systems and procedures, identifying best practices that have evolved from the legal basis and lacunae that may exist.
  4. Explore European citizen’s awareness/acceptance of surveillance systems and procedures based on attitudes to efficiency, economic and social costs.
  5. Identify the possible effect of cultural influences on citizens’ acceptance of surveillance systems and procedures.
  6. Compare and/or further develop findings on these systems, procedures and attitudes with findings found in the FP7 CONSENT and SMART projects.
  7. Establish best-practice criteria developed on the basis of operational, economic, social and legal efficiency and citizen perceptions.
  8. Develop a tool-kit capable of pan-European application (and even beyond).  This would be composed of three main items:
  • a matrix-style checklist incorporating  operational/technical- economics- social factors –  legal aspects which could be utilised as a decision-support tool for policy-makers assessing systems specifically designed for surveillance;
  • system design guidelines and
  • model force-level regulations which can be adopted by a police force for the deployment of Surveillance systems including large-scale integrated systems.  The matrix, design guidelines and  regulations balance citizens’ privacy and security concerns.