In modern society, businesses continue to assess the ever-changing threats posed to their day-to-day operation. While the nature of crime has very much stayed the same, the frequency at which it is committed continues to rise with many businesses being targeted more than once, which of course has financial implications that can be damaging to the longevity of the business.
Crime can take many forms and in some instances, it's not physical crime but the presence of some individuals alone can lead to a substantial loss of business.
CCTV Benefits
In modern society, more and more businesses are looking to alternative methods to protect their premises in addition to, or some cases in place of a traditional intruder alarm. CCTV installations are now playing a pivotal role in protecting premises in modern society. Some of the benefits a CCTV system will offer, include:
- The Visible Presence of CCTV cameras acts as a deterrent to potential criminals. Knowing they are being monitored reduces the likelihood of theft and vandalism.
- CCTV is also used in public places like streets, train stations, bus stations, and even open spaces such as parks and this enhances safety by providing real-time surveillance aiding in quick responses to emergencies and providing evidence to support convictions following criminal activity.
- CCTV footage can also be used to monitor and manage crowd behaviour, especially during events such as football matches, charity events etc.
- CCTV is critical for Evidence Collection. Video recordings provide crucial evidence for investigations, helping police identify perpetrators and reconstruct events to support convictions.
- CCTV systems help safeguard employees and company assets, particularly in industries where security is paramount, such as banking or warehousing.
- CCTV in public spaces discourages activities like littering, loitering, or public disorder.
Modern CCTV Camera Features
As modern CCTV (Closed-Circuit Television) cameras continue to evolve, many are furnished with an abundance of features promoting AI (Artificial Intelligence) features.
These newer cameras entering the marketplace come with active deterrence features that have been well received by customers when presented with the option. Active deterrence features typically include Red & Blue flashing strobe lights and a loud siren or verbal prerecorded message to draw an intruder’s attention to the presence of the camera in the hope they will be deterred from committing an offence. Once their attention has been drawn to the source of the flashing lights and sound, it generates an “unconscious glance” whereby the intruder will look directly at the camera which allows the camera to capture a clear picture of the individual's face.
In addition to the above features, many active deterrence cameras are also provided with a “Smart Illuminator”. Gone are the days when you could only see black-and-white images at night. The latest active deterrence cameras can detect human movement within the camera's frame and will illuminate the area with a bright light (like a small flood light) built into the camera which allows the camera to record a colour image even in the darkest of environments. Again, this feature proves particularly beneficial when trying to identify the colour of clothing being worn or the colour of a car used in the offence to help identify individuals of interest
Many high-end cameras also come with features such as Face Recognition, Heat Mapping, Thermal Detection, 2 Way Audio, Pre Recorded Audio (Either welcoming or deterrent), Smart Motion Detection, Perimeter Protection, Privacy Masking and Human and Vehicle Motion Detection to name just a few.
CCTV Brand Options
There are hundreds of brands to choose from when installing a CCTV system. Some customers may elect to proceed with a self-install using low-end cameras available from manufacturers such as SWANN, RING, BLINK & ANNKE which are typically purchased from hardware stores such as B&Q and Screwfix and are installed by an amateur installer.
At the other end of the scale are the mid to high-end CCTV cameras which are installed by hundreds of approved and certified installers across the country and include brands such as Avigilon, Axis, HANWA (Samsung), Dahua & Hikvision which are available through approved fire and security suppliers. These cameras are often competitively priced and offer all the features previously mentioned in the blog. These cameras should be installed by Certified Installers who have received the manufacturer's training and certification to work on these systems.
Initial Survey
The most important factor when considering the installation of a CCTV system is the initial survey. At ARC Fire Safety & Security Ltd we believe in offering bespoke solutions centred around the client risk requirements. We offer a consultative-centred approach and strongly believe that the customer should be able to assist with the design of their system.
Our initial site survey allows us to understand the customer's initial concerns and observations that have driven them to consider the installation of CCTV. Once we understand the reasons for the requirement for CCTV a full site appraisal is carried out to establish proposed cable routes, siting of cameras and location of recording equipment. In addition, we seek to understand how the customer wishes to manage the system moving forward, is remote monitoring of the system required via a 3rd party monitoring station or does the customer simply require the mobile app?
Upon completion of the site survey, the surveyor can provide the customer with a detailed specification for their CCTV system which can include the provision of a detailed system plan showing the coverage of each CCTV camera that is proposed for the site using the manufacturer design tool.
CCTV Installations
The correct selection and installation of CCTV cameras is crucial to the success of the system and it's important to factor specific requirements that may not be needed in the immediate but may be required in the future. At ARC Fire Safety & Security Ltd we will always aim to future-proof your installation by often offering a large model recorder to allow for the provision of additional cameras in future and by specifying the more advanced model of camera to ensure the customer has access to all the features to protect their premises.
ARC Fire Safety & Security Ltd have worked on several bespoke CCTV installations over the last year (2024) including the design and forthcoming installation of the CCTV to protect the MAGNA CARTA at Salisbury Cathedral, the design of the proposed new CCTV system for St Albans Cathedral, the design and installation of a 26 camera CCTV system at Charlton Park Crematorium in Andover, the recent design and installation of a 16 camera CCTV system at Hotel Bosco in Kingston Upon Thames and the design and installation of a new 16 camera CCTV system at TPT Fire Maintenance Ltd in Basingstoke to name just a few.
ARC Fire Safety & Security Ltd
Our team have an in-depth working knowledge of the systems and the best applications for specific cameras in specific environments and can create a bespoke solution to meet the needs of any business. If you're considering upgrading the CCTV at your business premises or maybe you're looking to install a system from scratch, we would recommend reaching out to the team at ARC Fire Safety & Security Ltd to arrange your free survey.
