CCTV - The Complete Solution?
Claire Rooney (Crime Reduction Officer) Wiltshire Police
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) is not the panacea to all security and safety problems that many people believe it to be. CCTV should only be part of an integrated approach that considers all aspects of the security problems being experienced.
You should be aware of the distinction between the cheapest tender or the best value for money. Security systems, however, are frequently a one-off purchase with no previous experience on the part of the buyer. For this reason, buyerscan be vunnerable to pressure from inexperienced sales persons offering the wrong solution based on their company's particular products. For instance, selling CCTV when an intruder alarm or better physical security is a more effective answer.
The following is guidance on establishing the requirements for your system:
Identify the problem areas: Examine your problem areas and split them into zones and treat each zone individually. Consider the problems in that area and what you want to record and see. A camera providing an overall view will provide little details of any specific person or incident.
Set out possible solutions: The next consideration is how a solution can be achieved. The list will depend on the circumstances and requirements on any particular site, but it is important to al least make a list and consider all the possibilities.
Set down a list of objectives for the system: For instance; for a shop, cameras would be present to provide a detterrent to crime and offenders in the store or to enable 24 hour monitoring of all the designated areas.
Recording Format: There is a big commercial movement towards digital recording systems. While having many benefits, there are also a number of drawbacks that can limit the use of the images by the police. Ensure that whatever system you select, your local policing imaging unit should be able to process the recorded product.
