The idea of a CCTV ‘MOT’ system has its merits. However, any government-driven attempt to control installers who are currently allowed to self-certify that CCTV installations conform to existing standards may prove to be too costly.
We have to be realistic and accept that CCTV cannot and never will be a panacea for all known criminal ills. It can, however, be a great deterrent and an indispensable aid to the justice system. To achieve this, two things must happen.
Firstly, CCTV has to be planned, installed, maintained and operated correctly. Secondly, as a direct result of the first, CCTV must be perceived by criminals to be effective in obtaining successful prosecutions. Sadly neither of these are currently the norm.
A let down
The example of an installation in a school quoted in Chris Lawrence’s article can be echoed by our own recent experience. Following a survey and detailed planning of a school CCTV installation, the contractor awarded the work and ignored the written operational requirement.
They were used to no one checking their work even though they had been told that the installation would be subject to inspection and testing and would need to be signed off as ‘fit for use’. This NSI Gold accredited installer, by force of habit, let themselves and, more importantly, the customer down. The installer in question had to spend two days rectifying the installation as a result of our post installation test and audit of the system.
Practical solution?
Whilst I have to own up to self-interest, the testing and auditing of CCTV systems by independent companies who have no financial interest in the outcome is surely the most economical and practical solution. As independent system auditors we would support a certification scheme approved by insurance companies who, let’s face it, have a lot to gain and nothing to lose.
Without our service how many installations are completed that do not meet British and European standards? But those of us who wish to see the CCTV industry prosper should think very carefully before involving the government. Bureaucracy would inevitably run riot and costs for all would spiral to the point where being robbed would probably be cheaper!
As demonstrated in the school example above, it will take time for old habits to die out, but if driven by key stakeholders such as the insurance companies, consultants, end-users and manufacturers, the standard of CCTV can be improved.