Phil Doyle, pictured, Managing Director of Quadrant Security Group looks at the emerging importance of CCTV system efficiency for local authorities and at the growing trend for multi-purpose applications.
Not too long ago, public space CCTV was seen purely as a measure to tackle and prevent crime and disorder. At the time, budgets were available to support this single but important focus – between 1999 and 2003 the Home Office Crime Reduction Programme invested over £170m of capital funding to back implementation across our towns and cities.
But those days are gone. Local authorities are facing tough times. A period of prolonged budget cuts is forcing many to look hard at core services to analyse exactly what is needed and how it can be more cost effective. CCTV is one of the areas coming under increasing scrutiny.
Consolidation
So what’s changing? For one, the changing economic climate, and its subsequent impact on public space policy and planning, means that consolidation strategies are becoming increasingly common.
At QSG, we have definitely seen an upturn in projects which involve the consolidation of multiple, disparate analogue and IP systems, onto one system that can be controlled and managed in one central control room. Recently, for example, we designed, sourced and implemented a solution to consolidate three separate systems – for Ashfield District Council, Newark & Sherwood District Council and Broxtowe Borough Council – enabling all to be viewed and controlled wirelessly at Newark and Sherwood District Council’s facility at Kelham Hall in Newark.
As well as removing the cost of using a leased line, and helping to reduce staffing costs, the new consolidated system has also helped reduce police administration and travel time by enabling each force to use Remote Evidence Management software to securely access evidential footage from their individual locations.
Partnerships
It’s not just partnerships between police and local authorities that should be considered when looking at strategic, cost-effective use of surveillance systems. Another key trend I expect to see more of when it comes to maximising surveillance assets is that of forging external commercial partnerships.
Local authorities are increasingly implementing their own wireless surveillance networks, moving away from leased-lines, and in doing so open up opportunities for third party revenue generation. Great Yarmouth is a wonderful example of how this principle can work in practice.
By implementing its own wireless CCTV system, moving away from leasing a fibre network from a fibre optic provider, and teaming up with The Cloud – BSkyB’s public access WiFi provider – the council is on track to make the system cost neutral and eventually generate revenue for the town. Because the CCTV functionality of the system could be entirely and securely ‘separated-out’ from any other potential uses, the council was able to offer use of the network to The Cloud to provide free WiFi across the town centre. This enables the local population to go online, browse emails and social networks and use streaming services. Once the initial outlay for the CCTV system is covered, the income generated will help fund other local services. It’s a win, win situation. Improved town centre security and improved wireless provision for residents, businesses and visiting tourists.
More than crime and disorder
As Great Yarmouth demonstrates, another important consideration, in terms of streamlining and maximising surveillance solutions, is that opportunities exist beyond the realms of ‘traditional security’ systems – and by that I mean those systems implemented to address and prevent crime and disorder. Local authorities looking to use their surveillance system more efficiently and effectively are starting to think – well, what other services do we currently monitor? The answer is often a lengthy list.
Lone worker alarms, building and facilities management systems, care alerts for sheltered housing. These are all examples of individual systems that many local authorities monitor individually as part of their public service operations. But the point is they don’t have to be separate. With the right IP-based surveillance solution and control hub, all such systems can potentially be unified and monitored on one system, from one or multiple locations according to need, at far less cost that maintaining individual systems for each.
We are actually currently working on a project with Luton Borough Council based entirely around this operational philosophy on an outsourced basis.
As well as designing a system to integrate key council security, asset management and access control systems, QSG runs, manages and staffs the Council’s recently upgraded CCTV control room – all of which is forecast to achieve efficiency savings estimated at £400,000 over five years, eventually helping the CCTV control room operation to become cost-neutral. It boils down to the simple truth that operating many systems is always going to take more time, resource and cash than operating one system. The technology is now available to make effective and secure integration feasible – it’s only a matter of time before more begin to explore the options that this solution presents.
Combining technology
So, I’ve talked about consolidation, about partnerships and about moving beyond typical surveillance boundaries when it comes to what a system can be used for. These are all very real opportunities that are happening right now. But in actual fact, there is an even simpler step that many local authorities can now take – going ‘hybrid’. By far the biggest concern that public space customers have in terms of what technology to adopt, what to update and how to do it, is cost – not necessarily the cost of new technology, but the cost of having to replace existing kit as part of upgrades.
For most local authorities, implementing an entirely new CCTV system is simply not an option financially. However, implementing a “hybrid” system is and this is one of the easiest ways that those operating public space surveillance solutions can improve provision entirely within budgetary restrictions.
Combining the benefits of a wireless infrastructure with fixed legacy analogue and new IP cameras means all can be viewed and controlled on one system – maximising the old to allow investment in new. It’s simple but effective strategy.
Working smarter
And that is really the key – looking at the simplest ways to achieve objectives. Technological improvements play their part in helping local authorities operate more cost-effective surveillance solutions. This is undeniable. But what the examples I’ve discussed here demonstrate is that the real key is working smarter. Looking at the technology, looking at what needs to be done, and seeing how the former can achieve the latter in the most efficient way possible – that’s what’s needed. That may be about consolidating services, it may be about expanding services through creative partnerships but ultimately it is about maximising the potential of technology to make life easier. Saving effort, time and resource always ends up saving money.
About Quadrant
Quadrant Security Group (QSG) is a wholly owned subsidiary of UK-based Synectics plc. For further information, visit www.qsg.co.uk
