Archive for the ‘CCTV Monitoring’ Category

News that pubs will no longer be enforced to install CCTV is a cause for concern

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013

News that local authorities will no longer enforce local pubs to install CCTV systems if they have no history of trouble has been met with concern.

The BBC has reported that the Department for Communities and Local Government will issue new guidelines to licensing authorities following fears that pub landlords would be enforced by law to have CCTV cameras installed or face having their license revoked.  This review of the current system aims to have police and local authorities consider if surveillance systems are suitable and appropriate in every case.

Brandon Lewis, the Community Pubs Minister, said that: “CCTV has a role to play in stopping and deterring crime in anti-social behaviour hotspots. But well-run community pubs that don’t have a public order problem shouldn’t be tarred with the same brush.”

This news has been met with concern by the Information Commissioner, who has said it is seriously concerned by this development.

CCTV systems have a large role to play in the prevention and deterring of crime. Not only are criminals aware that their actions are being recorded which could then lead to prosecution, but the tool also helps to capture footage of the crime should one occur. Whilst your business may not have a history of anti-social behaviour, having CCTV installed offers the business owner reassurance that their business is protected by surveillance systems should the need arise.

With our range of CCTV products available, there are a variety of tools available to help prevent and deter crime occurring on your premises. Should your business be subject to a theft, vandalism or anti-social behaviour, CCTV gives an increased chance of being able to identify the suspect. At Alert Systems we offer a range of cameras from dome cameras and static cameras to ANPR cameras and digital recording, all of which offer high-quality surveillance to help protect your business.

Despite the fact that local authorities may no longer have the power to enforce pubs to install CCTV systems, having a CCTV system installed on your premises can help prevent crime or anti-social behaviour occurring. The installation of a CCTV camera on your premises is invaluable in its ability to capture clear images of incidents such as anti-social behaviour. The surveillance system allows you to present this information to the police to help with the identification of the suspect.

Even if your business has no history of anti-social behaviour or crime, an Alert Systems CCTV camera offers your business protection should the need arise.

CCTV Self Help Checklist

Friday, June 14th, 2013

Once you have installed CCTV at your business it is important to keep it in good check. This can include some regular maintenance including straightforward cleaning and more drastic measures such as reconsidering the angle the CCTV is directing at. In order to ensure your CCTV is running at its optimum AlertSystems has issued a top ten checklist.

  1. Remember to clean your CCTV regularly to ensure that cameras are kept clean and able to record as clear an image as possible.
  2. Make sure they are in focus and clear rather than fuzzy and unclear. It is surprising how many CCTV cameras are out of focus and recording blurred images everyday.
  3. It is also shocking how many cameras are not working unknown to CCTV controllers. Many systems can bypass blank images making it hard to spot when they are not working at their best.
  4. Check the date and time that’s embedded onto your CCTV images and ensure it is correct. This will make searching through old footage simple, fast and easy.
  5. Is your business CCTV system still focused at the exact area you want to be under surveillance?
  6. Check that the area (including width and height) your CCTV is recording is correct. In order to identify someone it is necessary to film them from their head to knees, so ensure your CCTV captures this range.
  7. When did you last change your CCTV tape? Good tapes should only be used around 7 times so ensure you keep fresh tapes every so often.
  8.  Does your CCTV system work at night? If so does it have sufficient lighting or an infrared camera?
  9. Do you also have an intruder alarm that can work alongside a CCTV system? When the two systems work together an image of the intruder is recorded as well as alerting others that something untoward is occurring inside the property.
  10. Have you considered a maintenance contract with AlertSystems? We can ensure that your CCTV cameras are kept in good condition and record at their optimum through our service and maintenance program.
©2013 AlertSystems Ltd