‘SMART’ DETECTORS AND CCTV CAMERAS – A GUIDE TO UK NATIONAL CCTV STRATEGY

Closed circuit television (CCTV) plays a significant role in protecting, preventing and assisting in the investigation of crime. CCTV has been thought to be an effective tool, particularly as an aid to detection, and when used as part of a wider crime reduction strategy. However, the effectiveness of CCTV systems varies significantly in terms of coverage, monitoring, quality of images, uses and therefore the impact that CCTV can have on local crime and disorder.

 The United Kingdom is considered to be the CCTV capital of the world and given the difficulties associated with the diverse state of CCTV coverage referred to above the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)* [1] recognised the need to address the various problems. In April 2005, the ACPO CCTV/Video Working Group submitted a paper to the Home Office suggesting that there was a need to develop a strategy for the future development of public space CCTV The strategy would need to determine a programme of activity that should be undertaken in order to maximise the operational effectiveness of the countryâ??s current CCTV infrastructure. *[2]

Increasingly sophisticated intruder alarms are being integrated to incorporate ’smart’ detectors and CCTV cameras to provide a means of verifying, or confirming if an alarm is genuine. I recall the term â??Videofiedâ? from a French company which produces and sells wireless video verification alarm system integrated in one device. This technology ensures that the appropriate response can be actioned quickly and effectively by key holders, and more importantly by the Police. To minimise the number of false alarms that the Police attend, the Police will now only issue a Unique Reference Number (URN) to systems that comply with BS8418.

 

*[2]- UK CCTV National Strategy 2007