News

CCTV for the Public Sector is money well spent

The British Security Industry Association claims public spending on CCTV is worthwhile to secure public safety. That’s its response to an online report highlighting concerns over the rise in the number of CCTV cameras controlled by local councils over the past decade.

In its report, published in December, Big Brother Watch – an offshoot of the Taxpayers’ Alliance – questions the effectiveness of CCTV in deterring or solving crimes, arguing that money currently spent on expanding CCTV networks would be better utilised by employing more police on the beat.

However, according to Pauline Norstrom, BSIA CCTV Section chairman, that is an inaccurate definition of CCTVs role within security and safety. "Time and again the police take advantage of CCTV images to reconstruct events, identify offenders and make high-profile calls for public support in their enquiries" and "images are frequently called upon in the criminal justice system to help secure prosecutions".

Keep Thieves From Your Door

Homes and businesses left empty at Christmas make easy pickings for burglars. Securing your property not only gives you peace of mind, but can also cut your insurance premiums. So how can you protect your premises, even when you aren’t there?

Outdated CCTV To Go Digital

The future of many outdated CCTV systems is coming into clearer focus as many councils, organisations and companies are taking the decision to upgrade to digital. Suprisingly, cost is no longer the primary factor taken into consideration when thinking about moving to this new technology – the benefits of installing a digital CCTV system over analogue speak for themselves.

DVRs That Deliver

The working group tasked with drawing up the UK police requirements code relating to the use of cctv footage as evidence in a court of law has consulted widely with bodies including the Association of British Insurers, Law Society and Home Office Scientific Development Branch.

Input has also been gained from officers on the front line such as police forensic experts to help shape and strengthen the draft document.

Police Requirements Overlooked

Thousands of companies across the UK could find themselves unable to prosecute thieves, vandals and intruders – despite having CCTV footage of break-ins.

Better CCTV Needed

Baroness Scotland has told the House of Lords that poor quality CCTV footage currently runs the risk of innocent people being wrongly arrested. She also added that "digital CCTV… will enable us, particularly when ID cards* come in, to identify those who are responsible for very serious crimes."

The Digital Age

In the immediate aftermath of the 7/7 London terrorist explosions, and the attempted bombings a fortnight later, the police embarked on a massive intelligence gathering exercise. Their task was significantly aided by the presence of CCTV cameras covering the streets, Tube stations and buses targeted in the attacks, as well as surveillance systems covering the rest of the transport network in the capital and surrounding counties.

The Whole Truth

The argument used to be that the camera never lies, but when it comes to evidence that will stand up in court, even industry experts now say the 4.2 million cameras in the UK do not give the whole picture.

CCTV has come to be seen as a magic bullet, but its effectiveness can be undermined by everything from the age of the equipment, through the positioning of the cameras, to something as simple as the number of times the tapes recording the pictures have been re-used.

The CCTV Monitor

The best way to monitor and capture illegal activity e.g. shoplifting, is by using surveillance cameras, but what is the use of covert spy cameras if you have no monitors to see the view transmitted?

CCTV Security Considerations

CCTV systems were first developed in the UK in 1970s. They used to be extremely expensive, cumbersome and had to be professionally installed due to a complicated electronic setup. Systems today are much more reasonably priced, easier to configure, and small CCTV systems can be installed by the end user.

A basic CCTV system includes a camera, monitor and recording device. Before settling on the specific components for your site, however, there are several decisions you will need to make.