The UK government explicitly lays out a strategy for provate cameras to be bought and operated with mandatory rules for police access to footage. [1]
This is on top of the cameras that ARE owned by government entities - 18+ city councils [2]. And it's expanding [3].
Why do you think it matters if they are linked together? Retaining footage and handing it over to police on request (not warrant) is a requirement. The IPA allows collecting this information in bulk (eg from cctv providers) with warrants. [4]
I don't think any of your links remotely substantiate what you claimed ("the single biggest user of UKs camera system originally intended for serious crimes are housing councils checking to see who didn't clean up after their dog.").
What even is the "camera system originally intended for serious crimes"?
This is on top of the cameras that ARE owned by government entities - 18+ city councils [2]. And it's expanding [3].
Why do you think it matters if they are linked together? Retaining footage and handing it over to police on request (not warrant) is a requirement. The IPA allows collecting this information in bulk (eg from cctv providers) with warrants. [4]
[1] - PDF Warning https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/...
[2] - https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-17116526
[3] - https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/uk-funds-stre...
[4] - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/25/contents/enacte...