Author Archives: tensor_cctvsurveillance

  1. CCTV In 14 Towns

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    There is to be a massive expansion of CCTV coverage across Northern Ireland in a bid to cut crime with 87 new CCTV cameras established in 14 town centres. It has also emerged that police and the Northern Ireland Office are looking at the possibility of introducing mobile CCTV technology to tackle street violence.

    The Government will invest £2m in the CCTV schemes, located in areas where there are long-standing problems with anti-social behaviour and crime.

    They will be erected in Ballymena, Bangor and Holywood, Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart, Downpatrick and Newcastle, Enniskillen, Glengormley, Lisburn, Newry, Warrenpoint, Kilkeel, Newtownards, North Belfast, Omagh, Portadown and Lurgan.

    Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson said: "This will give the business community additional security in the high streets throughout Northern Ireland. The message being sent out today is very clear. We will not tolerate criminal or anti-social behaviour, you will be caught and you will be prosecuted if you take part in this activity."

    The Minister also revealed that he is also looking at other ways of using CCTV technology to tackle crime.

    He said: "I am exploring with the PSNI the possibility of introducing a number of mobile CCTV units in other areas and I have also commissioned a feasibility study for a CCTV scheme for Belfast City centre which I hope to make a further announcement about in the near future."

    Policing Board Chairman, Sir Desmond Rea, said: "People often feel safer in the knowledge that CCTV is being operated effectively in the areas within which they live and work. CCTV can act as a deterrent to those who are minded to commit crime and effective use of CCTV footage can also help the police in making arrests. Anything that contributes to a reduction in crime or the fear of crime should be welcomed."

    Assistant Chief Constable for Urban Region Duncan McCausland and Assistant Chief Constable for Rural Region Judith Gillespie both welcomed the expansion of town centre CCTV systems at the 14 locations across both regions.

    The expansion of the local town centre CCTV schemes is being launched under the title ‘Looking out for you’.

  2. Zero Tolerance On Litter Louts

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    In a bold move, Peterborough City Council plans to use its 135 CCTV cameras placed across the city to catch litter bugs in the act. Camera stills will be made public and residents will be asked to shop the culprits who will be handed a £75 fine.

    The council already spends £1.65 million a year on fighting the city’s ever growing litter problem.

    Today, Peterborough City Council leader John Peach unveiled the zero-tolerance plan that the council hopes will lead to a litter-free city. Cllr Peach said: "CCTV operators will be on the look out for anybody we suspect of dropping litter. There is no excuse for this sort of anti-social behaviour and the message is simple – bin it or face being fined."

    He added: "This scheme will give us another weapon to target those who blight our city. We want Peterborough to be a litter-free zone and will take whatever action is necessary to impress this ideal on residents and visitors. There is an army of cleaners with mechanical sweepers clearing every street in the city. Once they have got around everywhere they have to start again. Litter is a constant problem."

    The council has named three litter hot spots which will be intensely scrutinised by the councils digital CCTV systems. They include Geneva Street in the city centre, Orton Centre in Orton Waterville and the Pyramid Centre in Bretton.

    And people who drop cigarette butts are also set to come under the microscope. The council is fitting ashtrays to buildings and on bins to deter smokers from discarding cigarette butts on the ground.

    Cllr Graham Murphy, cabinet member for environment and community safety, said: "There is no hiding place for people who drop litter. These CCTV cameras are so good that they will pick the freckles off your face from the other end of Bridge Street. They will identify people who do not respect the city. And it won’t just be in the city centre. They will be in Paston, Orton, Werrington and Bretton, in every area across the city. Those caught will be shamed by their actions and it will act as a deterrent to others."

    Peterborough Council is limited in the number of officers who can walk around catching people who drop litter. CCTV footage has already proven that people clearly use litter bins and go out of their way to do so during the daytime, but Peterborough at night time is a different matter.

    A telephone number where people can ring in and identify the culprits will be made available once the photographs are published.

  3. Holidaymaker Nabs Burglars

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    A businessman on holiday in Spain was able to alert police of a raid on his home in the UK because he’d invested in an expensive net-connected digital CCTV system. Engineering boss John Ellison, 52, watched the attack on his Lancaster home unfold on a laptop PC he’d taken on holiday with him to Malaga, Spain.

    He was automatically notified (via an SMS message) that something was amiss by the £20,000 security system, which features 16 CCTV cameras, after the burglars bludgeoned their way through a conservatory door triggering installed PIR devices when they attempted to enter his £600,000 home.

    Mr Ellison reacted quickly, and had his fears confirmed as he remotely logged on to his CCTV monitoring system. He watched the raid in mounting anger for the next 40 minutes until police, notified by Mr Ellison that a raid was in progress, nabbed two of three burglars.

    One of the burglars was caught wearing a Bart Simpson mask and cowering in Mr Ellison’s bathroom. Mr Ellison has estimated that the burglars have cost around £12,000 in damage to his property.

    "They were armed with bags full of crow bars and other tools. I was livid. I could see them smashing doors and various other things," he said. "But it was wonderful to see them being marched out and their masks being pulled off. The CCTV security system is expensive but worth every penny. The police seemed impressed as I directed the operations from Spain."

    The two men caught by police raiding Mr Ellison’s home have pleaded guilty to burglary and are due to be sentenced in November. Police are still searching for the third man involved in the raid.

    By installing a remotely monitored digital CCTV system, you are able to see what’s going on at your property from virtually anywhere in the World. If you are interested in installing a CCTV security system, such as the one that Mr Ellison installed, then why not contact a member of our sales team, who would be happy to guide you in the right direction.

  4. Residents Install Covert Cameras

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    Councils across the UK are supplying householders with covert CCTV cameras so that they can amass evidence against nuisance neighbours. The devices are so small they can be hidden in pot plants or door frames and provide 24-hour surveillance to capture evidence of vandalism, threatening behaviour or abuse.

    Councils in London, West Yorkshire, Northumberland and Dundee have introduced the schemes to help to secure antisocial behaviour orders, injunctions and criminal convictions. They follow government demands that local authorities crack down on antisocial behaviour.

    The covert cameras, some no more than half an inch in diameter, can be hidden between the covers of books on windowsills facing the street or squeezed between door frames and brickwork.

    However, CCTV technology does not come cheap, with the cameras and recording equipment costing up to £2,500. But, they are able to capture 28 days of non-stop activity, and some can also be accessed remotely by the councils’ antisocial behaviour taskforces so they can take immediate action or alert the police.

    The CCTV installations have already seen good results:

    • One CCTV camera in Dundee fitted behind a door’s existing spy hole has already led to the conviction of a man who tried to smash through his neighbour’s front door with an axe;
    • A burglar in Rochdale was caught climbing in through the front window of a house by a CCTV camera set up to record less serious antisocial behaviour.

    "Once we’ve got this footage it’s impossible to claim you didn’t do it," said Darren Kennedy, community safety officer at Kirklees council in West Yorkshire which has installed more than 20 covert cameras in houses and other locations since April. "Needless to say they end up with a conviction. It is never instead of other investigative work, but it speeds it up."

  5. CCTV Protects Firefighters

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    A combination of newly installed CCTV cameras into fire engines, new powers protecting emergency workers and efforts to engage with youngsters in communities have led to a dramatic fall in the number of attacks on firefighters.

    Three CCTV cameras were installed at the end of last year after figures revealed firefighters attempting to put out blazes and save lives were increasingly being targeted by armed thugs.

    There were 84 attacks in 2005, from people armed with bricks, bottles, stones, and darts. Crews were even threatened with a replica handgun and an air rifle.

    Fire chiefs installed the CCTV cameras so they would have more chance of prosecuting attackers, but the cameras have also worked as a deterrent, with just 17 attacks this year, compared with 35 by the same time in 2005, in Lothian and Borders.

    CCTV cameras have been placed on engines going to areas where attacks are most common – including Sighthill, Newcraighall and Livingston. In Sighthill, the number of attacks has fallen from eight last year to only one so far in 2006. In Livingston, where there were four attacks in 2004, there have been none so far this year.

    Meanwhile, the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005, which made it an offence to "assault, obstruct or hinder" firefighters in the line of duty, made it easier for police and the courts to crack down on offenders. Firefighters have also been going to schools and homes in an attempt to build up a better rapport with residents and young people.

    Tom McGrath, watch manager for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue, said digital CCTV had been critical in helping to drive down the number of attacks.

    "The CCTV cameras were funded by the city’s problem solving partnership and they have helped," Mr McGrath said. "They were introduced in November 2005 and attacks, especially at that time of year, had been quite substantial and unacceptable. They were put in as a means of protecting our staff in the three perceived biggest problem areas. We want to take people to task on what they’re doing and we have a duty of care for our own workers, so CCTV was seen as a good way of doing both."

    He also said firefighters had welcomed the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005, which has led to more than 70 people in Lothian and Borders being charged with attacks.

    The fire service also launched its service improvement plan last year for 2005-10, which promised much more community work. Craigroyston and Clovenstone primary schools, both covered by the Sighthill station, took part in a primary education school programme, which saw fire crews teach children about safety.

    David Mallin, of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, said: "By getting into communities and speaking to young people we are breaking down barriers and allowing them to get to know their local crew. That makes them less likely to throw missiles."

  6. Home CCTV Surveillance

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    When you monitor your home or office with CCTV surveillance, it’s like you have an entire television network devoted to the safety of your home. CCTV broadcasts your security surveillance on a private network, but unlike broadcast television, all components within your network are connected through cables and wires.

    Already popular in large public places where security is heightened, such as at airports or casinos, CCTV systems are becoming more and more widely used in private home settings as well.

    Many independent studies in the UK have suggested that CCTV surveillance acts as a powerful deterrent, stopping crimes before they happen. Studies also show strong evidence that CCTV can be an extremely effective tool in detection and prosecution.

    The same CCTV video surveillance technology used in our public venues is available for your home. We offer systems that can monitor every room in your home through dedicated CCTV cameras, which produce clear, high visibility images.

    One surveillance system can cover up to 16 rooms in your home. By monitoring your family’s security on a CCTV network, you are able to record suspicious activities as they occur. Monitor your garden, front door, garage, even your mailbox.

    We strongly believe that CCTV security is a powerful addition to your home security system. Your home is your castle, and you have the right to protect it however, CCTV is subject to laws regarding a person’s right to privacy and you want to remain on the right side of the law. Therefore, when installing a CCTV system in your home, it is important that you are certain of the legality of your surveillance.

    CCTV is inexpensive and simple to use, and it will help increase security and put your mind at ease. For more information on CCTV systems for your home, office, or factory, contact us today.

  7. Respecting Employee Privacy Rights

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    The loss of employee privacy rights in the workplace is a growing concern among employees, lawyers, and civil libertarian groups. Although employers in banks, telecommunications, securities exchange, in hi-tech industries, and in other workplaces justify using video surveillance in the workplace to monitor employee behavior to chiefly promote safety, improve productivity, and stop theft, protecting employee privacy must be a top concern.

    If the courts find that the employer’s surveillance methods are less than fair, that firm may find itself knee-deep in lawsuits that could have been prevented.

    Employers install hidden surveillance cameras for many good reasons such as preventing theft, promoting productivity or protecting employees. However in some cases, the very systems installed to protect will intrude upon employee privacy.

    Legal observers and human resource specialists who study workplace privacy believe that employee privacy intrusions are more common than previously observed, and that they will increase every year.

    According to a 2005 survey, more than half of the companies surveyed use video monitoring to prevent theft, violence and sabotage (51% in 2005 vs. 33% in 2001). In addition, the number of companies that use video surveillance to track employees’ performance has also increased, with 10% now videotaping selected job functions and 6% videotaping all employees. Among firms that use video surveillance, 85% notify employees.

    As more and more employee groups become aware of how they are being watched, the more likely they will take their employers to court.

    These are the four main types of court-upheld privacy violations that could occur in shops, factories and offices and the first type is directly related to video surveillance.

    • Intrusion upon seclusion which includes invading worker privacy in bathrooms and changing rooms;
    • Publication of private employee matters;
    • Disclosure of medical records;
    • Appropriation of an employee’s likeness for commercial purposes.

    In addition, video surveillance must be limited to visual images and cannot include audio in order to comply with regional and national statutes.

    Employers need to be proactive and aware of these four privacy violations so that their employees’ individual rights are respected and protected.

    How to achieve balance between monitoring and intruding upon employees

    First, the employers need to clarify what privacy rights employees are guaranteed and what constitutes an invasion of privacy. Then, employees must be notified in writing that video surveillance will be conducted and they should also sign a waiver verifying that they know they may be monitored.

    Management must define what is acceptable supervision versus "snoopervision" and that includes not videotaping showers, toilets, changing rooms, smoking areas, and employee lounges. These are places specifically for employees’ personal comfort, health or for safeguarding their possessions.

    However, employers must also be sensitive against using video surveillance in other areas where employees might takes breaks.

    Employers must be fully aware of the privacy risks associated with videotaping employees so that the likelihood of litigation is reduced. Companies should also nurture a workplace environment where employees can voice privacy or security concerns in confidence with management without feeling that their conversations are being monitored.

    In short, if employers choose to use video surveillance in the workplace, they must adhere to written privacy guidelines that will keep employees secure and that will also respect their privacy.

  8. New Benchmark For CCTV

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    A new magazine called Benchmark has just been launched, which is dedicating itself to establishing a performance index for electronic surveillance products and solutions.

    Benchmark are looking to create this index by group-testing various CCTV components and technologies, and by conducting on-site assessments of CCTV systems. The aim is to create an index that is quick and easy for readers to check performance data on CCTV products and components.

    All Benchmark tests are fully independent and are supervised by the Benchmark editorial team. All CCTV products are tested simultaneously and with the same supporting equipment. Details of such equipment (CCTV lenses, CCTV cameras, monitors, etc.) are given as a part of the test process.

    As manufacturers are not involved in the tests, and products for the group tests are selected by the Benchmark editorial team, information has been guaranteed to be unbiased and impartial.

    Group testing of various CCTV components and technologies are to be performed by independent experts to determine the best product for a particular situation. They are also looking to perform analysis on CCTV systems already installed on site, and offer information and advice on the merits and benefits of particular CCTV solutions with the end user.

    The sheer number of CCTV products currently available on the market often makes it difficult to find the best component for a given situation. It is for this reason that CCTV engineers throughout the UK have welcomed the Benchmark Magazine as an invaluable guide to CCTV components and technologies.

    If you are interested in learning more about the Benchmark Magazine, visit their site at www.benchmarkmagazine.com.

  9. CCTV Security Systems In Reducing Crime

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    Since the July 7th London bombings, CCTV security systems across the world have been examined with greater scrutiny and with greater expectations for reducing crime.

    Although not a panacea for preventing crime, many CCTV systems have been successful at reducing some types of crimes like property crime, for acting as a deterrent in car parks or in other public places, and for making citizens feel safer. However, the results are mixed when addressing violent crimes and when the crimes involve alcohol.

    In the UK, where an average person may be watched 300 times a day by the prevalent closed circuit television systems, numerous case studies paired with crime statistics have been used by Britain’s Home Office to determine the effectiveness of these digital CCTV systems and to see how well CCTV saves time and money for their police force.

    In fact, from 1999 to 2001, the British government spent £170 million (approximately $250 million) for closed circuit television security schemes in town and in city centers, car parks, crime hot spots and in residential areas.

    CCTV systems are evaluated using these identifiers which help police pinpoint where and when the CCTV camera systems are most beneficial.

    • Caught in the act – When potential offenders fear being recorded by the CCTV cameras for courtroom purposes, they usually abandon any idea of conducting a crime.
    • Publicity – If the CCTV camera schemes are public knowledge, then the would-be offenders may leave the target area, but may head to another area. Home Office data found that in the days leading up to the CCTV system activation, crime went down due to the increased publicity. However, if the publicity of the CCTV system is private, then offenders may be more likely to be deterred because they may think that CCTV security cameras may monitor other areas as well.
    • Effective deployment of law enforcement officers – CCTV systems increase the response time of police officers to the incident scene before a member of public has to call the police. According to data compiled in 2004 by the Home Office, CCTV operators can determine how many officers to send to the scene and the CCTV surveillance cameras can indicate what the offenders are doing at the scene before the police arrive.
    • Time for crime – If the offenders think that they can complete their crime before the CCTV systems can record it, then the police will have less chance at capturing the offenders. For example, if car thieves know that the security camera’s angle, range and speed are limited, they might determine how to best avoid the CCTV security cameras. However, the Home Office CCTV data has shown a reduction in car thefts in car parks, revealing that some offenders may still be captured on camera despite the speed of the crime.

    Although CCTV systems seem to reduce and deter property crime in public areas, such as car parks or shopping centres, CCTV systems aren’t as effective at stopping or preventing violent crimes.

    Although the CCTV systems do help at deploying police officers quickly to these violent crimes sites, the offenders may avoid the security cameras, since the security cameras are mounted in public zones, where violent crimes don’t take place. In this case, better street lighting may help to prevent such violent crimes from occurring.

    In addition, when alcohol is involved, the offenders don’t consider the consequences of their actions, making the CCTV systems ineffective as a deterrent amongst the intoxicated offenders. On a positive note, the CCTV systems do reduce the public’s fear of crime and they do ensure the quick deployment of officers to the incident scene which gives less time for the offenders to act more violently.

    CCTV systems are the future for preventing crime, and as the CCTV cameras become more sophisticated, more offenders will be caught and more crimes will be prevented.

  10. CCTV Installed In Schools

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    Having installed a digital CCTV system in a primary school in Bradford for security reasons, the staff soon realised that they could use the CCTV footage to analyse classroom practice and performance of both students and teachers.

    "The beauty of using CCTV as a teaching aid in addition to using it for security reasons is that the CCTV cameras are already there, so there’s no extra equipment or set-up time required," says Peter Steele, the headteacher.

    The 41 CCTV cameras installed at the school are able to pick up what the teachers cannot see. In one situation, for example, the work completed by a pupil seemed to tail off halfway through her lesson, and there didn’t appear to be any reasonable explaination, until the CCTV footage was reviewed. It showed that the pupil was sat in such a position that her teacher could not see her raise her hand when she wanted to ask a question.

    Following this revelation, the arrangement of the tables and chairs within the classroom was changed, ensuring that each student could be seen by the teacher at all times.

    Digital CCTV has also been found to give staff at this particular school more control over their professional development. Teachers were able to see how they work on video, which has led to a much more positive effect than a formal appraisal meeting. People can review situations as they happen, rather than relying on memory enabling teaching methods to be improved and expanded upon.

    Nothing less than a positive impact has been seen at this school in Bradford, and many more schools are now considering installing digital CCTV cameras on their premises.

    If you are a headteacher, or simple someone interested in installing CCTV within an educational environment, give CCTV Surveillance a call. We offer a discounted rental option to schools, colleges and universities looking to install a digital CCTV system. Whether it be a short-term lease, or a long-term contract, the benefits of installing CCTV for security and classroom performance have been proven to vastly outweigh the cost.