Open Letter to the Great Western Arms The Great Western Arms is a unique establishment. In the 6 years since it was reopened, following a period of neglect and decline, it has become a thriving venue. It has emerged as a place where friendships have been forged and is a focal point for a range of community and charitable causes. It sponsors sports and music events and while the fixtures and fittings are increasingly in a state of disrepair, it continues to be enjoyed by the large community of regulars. The underlying strength of the Great Western has been the atmosphere of trust and the bond of mutual respect that has prospered. This trust and mutual respect is now being threatened. The decision to install Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras has cast a long shadow over the place. The presence of CCTV represents the absence of trust and respect as well as being an intrusion into individual privacy. This is the more galling when the success of the Great Western is so dependent on the continued patronage of the regular customers. The presence of cameras smacks of ‘we don’t trust you!’ If that is the case why should the regular customers continue to support the Great Western commercially? The decision to install cameras must be based on a careful assessment of the balance of privacy and security. As such there are some important questions that need to be answered: 1. Most importantly WHY does the management feel it is necessary to install CCTV? 2. Who undertook the impact assessment of the balance of privacy against surveillance before deciding to install CCTV? 3. Who has access to the images? What vetting procedures for staff have been implemented to ensure that images will not be used in contravention of the conditions of the Data Protection Act? We do not believe there are any justified reasons for the installation of surveillance equipment in the Great Western. Such a decision indicates a breakdown in the trust that has for so long been the foundation of a successful business. It puts at risk the on-going relationship, with serious implications for the business, its workers and the success of important charity events such as the GW Fest. With this petition we implore the management of the Great Western to reconsider their decision and remove the CCTV cameras from the public areas of the pub. We the undersigned ask the owners and management of the Great Western Arms to remove the CCTV cameras immediately: