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474 Journal of the Spanish Institute for Strategic Studies N. 5 / 2015 the threats of terrorism and organised crime. Given present economic circumstances, we should wonder what lurks behind this smokescreen in practice. This can be particularly noted in the analysis made by the media and experts following the attacks carried out in Boston, London or Paris, to cite but a few examples. We therefore address a series of issues inherent to the circumstances surrounding the sense of security that prevails in our societies, a result of the traditional lack of transparency and communication. Within the complex system of perceptions, CCTV is understood from three perspectives. The first is for those within public or private institutions who deem the presence of a permanent system of control to be an appropriate way of producing evidence or countering potential unlawful acts. As part of an exercise in political responsibility, Boston Borough Council assures that: “The Boston Borough Councils CCTV System has been developed in response to the growth of crime and fear of crime in the town and surrounding villages. The sole purpose of the Boston Borough CCTV System is to make the town a safer and more welcoming place at any time of the day or night, allowing all citizens and visitors, regardless of age, gender or race, the opportunity to participate fully and without fear in the life of the town”.11 In turn, this perspective has consequences that concern the second perspective. This is notably the case for those who consider the level of security to be a notch higher when video surveillance is in operation due to the presence of these audio-visual recording devices. In an analysis entitled The Effectiveness of Public Space CCTV12 concerning society’s perception of the installation of video surveillance systems in urban centres, published by the Scottish government based on research carried out by authors such as MITCHELL,13 y 14 GILL. et al.,15 and HENDERSON16 amongst others, 11  BOSTON CCTV CODE OF PRACTICE. 2010. Document can be downloaded at http://www. boston.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3922 6 March 2014, 10:00. Emphasis added by author.. 12  EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC SPACE CCTV. A Review of Recent Published Evidence Regarding the Impact of CCTV on Crime. Justice Analytical Service. Police and Community Safety Directorate Scottish Government. Edinburgh. 2009, p.21 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/ Doc/294462/0090979.pdf> 6 March 2014, 10:00 13  MITCHELL, T. (a). Maybole Town Centre CCTV Evaluation. Community Safety Partnership. South Ayrshire. 2004. 14  MITCHELL, T. (b). Prestwick Town Centre CCTV Evaluation. Community Safety Partnership. South Ayrshire. 2004. 15  GILL, Martin.; SPRIGGS, Angela. Home Office Research Study 292: Assessing the Impact of CCTV. Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate. 2005. 16  HENDERSON, R. CCTV Awareness Opinionmeter Survey 2006. South Lanarkshire Community Safety Partnership. 2006. http://revista.ieee.es/index.php/ieee


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