The debate over the effectiveness of CCTV rages on in the wake of last month’s riots and looting, with both supporters and detractors finding plenty to say on the role played by surveillance cameras in deterring and solving the many crimes committed across UK cities in early August.
From a security sector perspective, the success of CCTV in aiding the police to identify and track down many suspects provides clear evidence of its value in fighting crime: a view expressed by the BSIA’s CCTV Section representative, Chris Williams, in a recent debate broadcast on BBC Radio Five Live.
“CCTV has done a very valuable job, [and] gives enormous value in terms of its ability to provide the police and others with information after the event,” asserted Williams, who faced some fierce questioning on the Victoria Derbyshire show (hosted temporarily by Stephen Nolan).
The debating panel also included detective chief inspector Kevin Concannon of the Metropolitan Police Service, Professor Martin Gill (director of Perpetuity Research and Consultancy International) and Big Brother Watch’s Alex Deane.
Scale of the police service operation
The sheer scale of the operation was highlighted by DCI Concannon, who reported that there had been “at least one incident in every London Borough” and that CCTV had been “effective in terms of arresting and identifying people as part of this investigation.”
Critics claim that CCTV did little to prevent the violence from spreading. However, according to DCI Concannon, it’s in the follow-up investigation period that surveillance technology truly comes into its own.
“There were large numbers arrested,” he said, “but [it was] impossible to gather them all up on the night, so that’s when we’ve then fought back on the CCTV.”
Supported by forensics and witness testimonies, CCTV is playing “a crucial role” in tracking down the rioters and looters, with DCI Concannon confident that “a very good proportion of these individuals will ultimately be brought to justice” as a result.
Building on DCI Concannon’s points to extol the virtues of new technology, BSIA representative Chris Williams reinforced the valuable role that video analytics has played in helping to reduce the amount of police resource dedicated to trawling through CCTV footage.
“Clearly, you can’t watch hundreds of people and identify them all immediately, but technology has in fact improved dramatically. The idea of reviewing surveillance footage is actually now something which doesn’t need to be done manually.”
When questioned about the value of CCTV in identifying looters whose identities were shielded by hoods or masks, Williams added: “Video analytics software can now identify where a given person came from and track them back to the point before they put their hood on, provided cameras are covering those areas.”
In conclusion, Williams stated: “I’m pleased to say it’s British technology that’s able to do this.”
For more information on the BSIA’s CCTV Section visit the Trade Association website
Research confirms the “negative impact on society” of Cash-in-Transit crime
Transporting around GB pound 500 billion every year – the equivalent to GB pound 1.4 billion every day – the UK’s Cash-in-Transit industry performs an essential public service, keeping cash moving around the country and supporting banks, retailers and businesses by facilitating millions of transactions every day.
High value brings high risk, thought, and as such cash couriers face the everyday threat of attack and robbery.
Previous victims of Cash-in-Transit crime have sustained long-term physical and psychological effects from shootings, stabbings, pistol whippings and severe beatings while carrying out the day-to-day requirements necessitated by their role.
With criminals’ modus operandi constantly evolving, the industry, Government and the police must remain one step ahead of the criminal in order to protect Cash-in-Transit couriers from falling victim to such brutal attacks.
Investing in innovative solutions and initiatives for deterring and designing out crime plays a huge part in this, but an understanding the criminals’ mindset also helps the industry to fight back.
In 2010, the BSIA’s Cash and Valuables In Transit (CVIT) Section and the Home Office jointly commissioned the UCL Jill Dando Institute (JDI) of Security and Crime Science to assess the nature of CVIT offences and the effects of these crimes.
The research was carried out by analysing police and industry recorded crime data, criminal conviction records and interviews with incarcerated offenders.
Essential reference document for all Stakeholders
A report of the findings was completed in mid-2011, and the document now serves as an essential reference work to ensure all Stakeholders involved in CVIT can gain a better understanding of the nature of criminality faced by this sector.
In particular, key findings from the research confirm the police and industry’s existing understanding that CVIT crime is not an isolated crime. The report findings show that “CVIT robbery often involves multiple offenders engaging in an array of criminal activities in the preparation, acting out and aftermath of an attack.”
This includes the links of CVIT attacks to car crime (most of the time the vehicle involved in an attack is either lost, stolen or bought from the black market) and the fact that proceeds of the crime are used to support further criminal activities such as drug dealing and the selling on of illegal weapons.
According to the research: “CVIT robbery has a wide-ranging negative impact on society. In particular, it fuels car crime, the illegal drugs industry and the buying and selling of illegal weapons. It also poses serious threats to the safety of the general public and security staff, both during the commission of an attack and the high speed getaway.”
Despite this safety threat, however, the study highlights how offenders still perceive CVIT robbery to be a business crime: one with no real impact on individuals.
Following the interviews carried out with convicted criminals, it appears that “offenders (especially those who are younger and newer to the crime) perceive CVIT robbery to be a victimless crime, and they use this to justify their actions.”
Moreover: “Only if someone is physically injured are attacks perceived as violent, and even then the victim is blamed. Threats – including those making use of weapons – were not seen as real violence.”
It may well be for this reason that, according to the research, offenders are often shocked at the length of the custodial sentences imposed upon them.
Ashley Bailey, Chairman of the BSIA’s CVIT Section, commented: “The BSIA’s CVIT Section is working hard to promote the fact that the effects of CVIT attacks are wide-reaching, as these are neither isolated nor victimless crimes.”
Bailey added: “Officers who fall victim to attack often suffer severe physical and psychological harm as a result. Sometimes members of the public are also caught up in the trauma, and may incur injuries. The findings from this research will help us further reinforce these important messages.”
For more information on the BSIA’s CVIT Section visit the dedicated section of the BSIA website
The Big Issue: Call for Entries to the 2012 BSIA Security Personnel Awards
The BSIA is now inviting submissions for the Security Personnel Awards 2012. Open only to Association members, the awards serve to reward security operatives for their dedication, loyalty, teamwork, customer service skills, use of technology and bravery.
In turn, the Security Personnel Awards help to promote the high standard of service offered by our members via select media outlets nationally, regionally and within the security trade media.
Security personnel can be nominated in the following categories: Service to the Customer, Outstanding Act, Best Newcomer, Best Use of Technology and Best Team, with national awards presented by the Guest of Honour at the BSIA’s Annual Luncheon, held each summer at the London Hilton Hotel on Park Lane.
The 2011 awards were presented in July by Lynne Featherstone MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Equalities and Criminal Information.
Taking part in the Security Personnel Awards provides BSIA members with an excellent opportunity for recognition and subsequent publicity, which is just one of the many benefits accrued by belonging to the Association.
Amanda Beesley is PR and marketing communications manager at the BSIA