A remote monitoring centre, Farsight Security Services, has taken issue with what it calls the negative misrepresentation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) operators after the three-part Channel 4 TV documentary CCTV: Caught on Camera. A review of the first of the three documentaries covering Southampton tower block concierge featured in the July print issue of Professional Security magazine and a review of the third and final programme, covering Southampton city centre public space CCTV control room, will run in the August print magazine.
For more visit the Channel 4 website – http://www.channel4.com/programmes/cctv-caught-on-camera. And for ‘extras’ and clips visit the Channel 4 4OD website – http://www.channel4.com/programmes/cctv-caught-on-camera/4od.
According to Peterborough-based Farsight, the series generalised the security industry and failed to acknowledge two distinct segments of CCTV. Namely, firstly there is public space CCTV, as represented in the documentary, which is active in public areas across the UK with operators watching footage. Secondly there is the private CCTV industry, which usually is reactive. That means the cameras only activate and show an image to the operator when an alarm is raised.
Recent statistics showed that security operators at Farsight issued 11,596 warnings via audio enabled CCTV systems in June 2013. These warnings were issued across 869 sites monitored by Farsight Security Services. The firm adds that the number of incidents raised (a call to the police or alerting the owner of the site) by Farsight was one sixth of the audio warnings issued. That leaves 85 per cent of audio warnings as successful deterrents to those trespassing on private property.
According to the company CCTV: Caught on Camera failed to recognise the efficiency of private CCTV surveillance in preventing crime, as oppose to only being used in prosecution.
Farsight stated that their industry must not be grouped in the category of ‘big brother’ but instead an effective measure in protecting private property, providing peace of mind and ensuring high levels of health and safety. Malcolm O’Shea Barnes, senior operations manager at Farsight, said: “It’s time professional security operators are given the positive reputation they deserve. I’ve read reviews that ask, ‘who is watching the watchers?’ which highlights the lack of detail offered in the documentary. In fact, private CCTV operators comply with British Standards, government legislation and industry governing bodies to ensure professionalism. All of our operators undergo comprehensive security checks before they are allowed behind the cameras and we ensure they are trained to the highest professional standard. Every member of staff is SIA licenced and has undergone police vetting.
“The fact that the documentary fails to recognise that a huge proportion of CCTV cameras do not record continuously is worrying for our industry. Our operators do not partake in voyeurism, breech of privacy or a ‘big brother’ persona.
“Security operators are not ‘a growing army of people, watching our every move’, as stated in the documentary. In fact, the vast majority are professionals who react to threatening situations to reinstate security – and safety.”
Farsight Security Services adds that it contacted Blast! Films to ask their reasoning behind their choice of operators to feature in the documentary series. A representative from Blast! Films stated that they had chosen the “right characters” for the documentary, which had “merit of appearing”. Blast! Films also stated that they do not agree with Farsight’s suggestion that the documentary sensationalised the role of security operators.
