Digital switchover leaves UK policing fragmented
Odiham, UK - 14 May 2009 - Half of the UK's city councils have digitalised a proportion of their surveillance systems, with almost a third making the switchover in the last four years, according to research carried out by network integration specialist, Telindus. While digital security cameras (IP CCTV) are now providing a number of city councils and police forces with a real-time view of civic centres, museums, leisure centres and other public spaces, half of city councils have yet to make the switchover, leaving the UK's digital policing fragmented.
IP CCTV has grown substantially in the last 10 years, offering councils and police forces greater flexibility in deploying cameras and accessing high-quality video wherever and whenever they need to. IP cameras can be moved quickly at a fraction of the cost of their analogue counterparts to provide coverage at crime hotspots, and planned events. Advanced IP-based applications such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and the transmission of real-time images to police patrols via PDAs can also be rolled out. Councils without IP CCTV are usually reliant on traditional analogue CCTV systems, which are both costly to expand and inflexible when coverage of a specific short-term event is required. With images stored on magnetic tape, evidence is also vulnerable to theft or damage.
Mark Hutchinson, managing director of Telindus, comments: "With today's technological advancements, security and peace of mind should be on the council's terms rather than at the mercy of outdated technology. IP CCTV is revolutionising street management and policing in cities, with half of the UK's councils already benefiting from the flexibility, improved image quality and enhanced governance of IP CCTV. It is clear that we are on the verge of a digital switchover comparable to that in the television space.
"Human nature dictates that if somebody is watching you, you are less likely to commit the crime. The flexibility of IP CCTV means that this principle can be cost-effectively applied to constantly changing crime hot spots, large events such as football matches or sporadic demonstrations. Whilst the privacy concerns recently raised by the Lords Constitution Committee must be considered and addressed to ensure our civil liberties are not impacted, there is no doubt that CCTV cameras are an extremely powerful tool in the fight against crime," concluded Hutchinson.
Of the 47 city councils asked to provide insight into their IP CCTV usage, 37 responded and revealed the use of more than 1,723 cameras across 19 city councils.
*N.B. The city councils responded to questions on their CCTV and IPCCTV operations during October to December 2008.
About Telindus
Telindus is a group of companies offering ICT Solutions and Services. Telindus serves business and public market needs as a solution and sourcing partner, delivering secured converged networking, and secured systems & applications underpinned by management and support services.
Telindus is a group of companies offering ICT Solutions and Services. Telindus serves business and public market needs as a solution and sourcing partner, delivering secured converged networking, and secured systems & applications underpinned by management and support services.
With over 38 years experience in ICT, Telindus is investing considerably in expertise to service modern IT and telecommunications infrastructures throughout their life cycle. Telindus' enviable track record and longstanding partnerships with leading equipment suppliers offers a safe route for enterprises, telecom operators and government bodies looking to deploy long-lasting ICT solutions.
In January 2006, Telindus joined the Belgacom Group to become the IT Services Branch of a new business leader in the market. Belgacom SA/NV [Euronext Brussels:BELG] is the leading telecommunications company in Belgium and a market leader in a number of areas, including retail and wholesale fixed-line telephony services, mobile communications services, broadband data and Internet services. Together, Belgacom and Telindus are building a Belgian champion in the European IT landscape, presenting the market a unique offering, uniting Connectivity and IT Services. http://www.belgacom.be/
With a highly skilled international team of 2,753 employees, Telindus is headquartered in Belgium. http://www.telindus.com/
Telindus is an ISO 9001:2000 (Quality Management System) and ISO 27001:2005 (Information Security Management System) accredited company.