Combined with analytical technologies, CCTV can be an invaluable tool for public safety as well as for more conventional security purposes. For example, a system can be programmed to regard as suspicious any movements that take place in a certain area (e.g. around a site gate) but only if they occur between certain times and in a certain direction. When those particular conditions are satisfied, the system will make an autonomous decision to generate an alert via your preferred communication channel – email, SMS etc. Similarly, CCTV can be used to identify objects that have been left in public places and which could therefore pose a threat. The ability to monitor environments, accurately and reliably, and to detect changes within specific parameters, can be immensely valuable for both public and private sector bodies.

The use of automatic number plate recognition systems has transformed many parking facilities and logistics hubs. It has made life considerably easier for businesses, local authorities and individuals alike. For drivers, ANPR systems can mean smoother progress through a car park or delivery yard, and freedom from the fuss and nuisance typically associated with tickets, tokens and logs. For public bodies, it can mean better management of highways and urban access, and easier identification (and possible prosecution) of traffic violations. For businesses, ANPR can deliver a host of benefits: greater operational efficiency, easier and less labour-intensive charging systems, and better data about traffic, access and users.

The applications for facial recognition technology are broadening all the time. For example, our systems add a valuable security layer to your access measures, ensuring that whatever device is used to gain entrance – be that a card or key fob – must be associated with a specific user’s face. Similar technology is invaluable in hospitality venues, airports, shops and other settings when the presence of certain known individuals could present a nuisance or a threat. Facial recognition technology can alert security staff to the arrival of persons of interest and thereby prevent a more challenging situation from developing. Conversely, facial recognition can also be used to ensure your staff know when a VIP customer has entered the premises, enabling special attention to be given. This makes it an important tool for hotels and conference centres, airports, government buildings and many other premises. Please note: to ensure full legal compliance with respect to GDPR and other regulations, we manage all associated data on behalf of our clients. We manage this centrally, compiling data from numerous clients. This means, for example, that all our clients benefit from receiving immediate alerts concerning the presence of known shoplifters, irrespective of whether the individuals in question have visited that client’s premises before.

CCTV is not limited to the visible spectrum of light. Low-light and thermal cameras can be used in absolute darkness, if necessary, and yet still deliver clear imagery. This makes them well suited to security and surveillance tasks, and ensures that property owners can maintain effective security at night, even in conditions such as fog and heavy rain. They also have numerous uses in industry. Contractors and landlords, for example, can use thermal cameras to see how effectively buildings are retaining heat and where additional insulation might be required. Production managers can use them to keep watch over vital equipment and to be alerted if any systems appear to be in danger of overheating. Thermal imagery can also be useful for the safe detection of faults in electrical and power transmission systems. Thermal cameras are also well known for their value in fire fighting and in search and rescue operations, but they have similar applications in wildlife conservation, farming, law enforcement and border controls, amongst many others.

Flow and occupancy data can be important for a variety of reasons: Keeping visitor/customer numbers within licensed limits Social distancing management Crowd management and safety Market data / retail footfall analysis In retail environments, CCTV can be used to detect the development of customer queues, and therefore to prompt the timely allocation of more staff to customer service areas. It can also be used to detect when customers are waiting for help or service in other key areas in-store. In transport and healthcare environments, CCTV can combine the functions of flow monitoring and temperature screening. The ability to check large numbers of people, without being intrusive and without making physical contact, can be invaluable when minimising infection control risks in busy public buildings. Our automated counting and logging systems enable all such tasks to be managed reliably, free from the lapses, errors and distractions to which human operators can be subject. This, in turn, maximises safety and enhances the quality of your data.

Retailers recognise that self-service systems can offer cost savings by reducing the need for staff to attend check-out tills. The rising prevalence of self-check-outs obviously increases the risks of fraud, but these risks can greatly be reduced by combining CCTV with EPOS systems. Cameras can monitor self-service activity, comparing the items scanned with those placed in the bagging area, and the resulting data can likewise be compared against payment receipts and stock control data. This particular application of CCTV is widely recognised, so these systems act as a strong deterrent to fraud, minimising losses while also cutting retailers’ staff costs and reducing the likelihood of long queues at check-out.

CCTV can be combined with thermal imaging and data analytics to create effective fire detection systems in zones where more conventional detectors may be inappropriate or inefficient. In some high-temperature industrial environments, for example, ordinary sensors might sometimes produce false alarms. By contrast, CCTV may be better able to distinguish the early signs of fire as a result of changes in light conditions, thermal sensing and the ability to detect flames. A reduction in false alarms will minimise unnecessary disruption to routine operations, while faster detection of genuine fires will facilitate a quicker response and, consequently, a reduced risk of loss and damage. Whatever solution you require, please talk to our CCTV specialists and let us help you gain a clearer insight into your sites, systems and security.