The cameras don't seem to have much deterrant effect in the UK, nor do you often hear of them catching people or convicting them through this footage. Which makes me wonder wtf they are for...
A few months ago someone broke into my locker at the swimming pool, got my iPad, BB, credit cards, cash and car keys. Thank God I hadn't driven there. Anyway, leaving the pool, he was in full view of the CCTV. The cops reviewed the footage, and the guy is just a black silhouette, no recognizable features.
So enemies of the surveillance state rejoice, there are cameras everywhere, the footage they record however is worthless. And I dare say the thief had figured that out for himself.
Most times you see the modern equivalent of a wanted poster, it's stills from CCTV - or even cuts of video. While I doubt the quality is high enough to use evidentially in many instances, I would bet they do play a decent part in deterring or convicting people.
