HDC Faces Renewed Pressure Over Chinese-Linked CCTV Cameras

A councillor has demanded an update on Harborough District Council’s review of CCTV cameras supplied by Hikvision – a company with known links to the Chinese state.

Cllr Simon Whelband, leader of the opposition Conservative group, first raised concerns in March 2024, urging the council to replace the cameras on security and ethical grounds, in line with other UK local authorities.

The cameras are in use in Market Harborough and Lutterworth.

The councillor also works for Harborough MP Neil O’Brien – himself sanctioned by China in 2021 – and recently discovered a suspicious approach via LinkedIn from a suspected Chinese spy, flagged following an MI5 security alert.

Cllr Whelband has formally submitted a question to the Leader of Harborough District Council, which is due to be answered at a council meeting next week:

The cameras are in use in Market Harborough & Lutterworth

Hikvision said its products were “demonstrably not a national security threat”.

In a statement the firm said: “Hikvision’s products are subject to strict security requirements and are compliant with the applicable laws and regulations in the UK.

“The company is committed to upholding the highest industry standards and we take all reports regarding human rights very seriously.”