This month marks the seventh anniversary of the devastating 7/7 attacks in London.
With the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games just a few weeks away, it’s important to review how technology is being used to secure the transport network and what recent developments are helping the security services to be alerted over any threats.
The transport infrastructure performs a key task in keeping the country moving, but it can also be vulnerable to serious attacks and vandalism due to the high volumes of passengers it attracts and the constant movement of people on and about its premises.
Throughout the years, security has come a long way in providing evidential material to reconstruct incidents, bringing those responsible to justice and preventing criminal activity. Arguably one of the most popular security measures available is CCTV. The importance of CCTV images in the transport sector was demonstrated in a number of serious incidents, including the 7/7 bombings themselves, where images of the perpetrators were obtained from Luton’s mainline railway station.
In addition, following the aborted attack on 21/7 four men were convicted thanks to evidence gathered from 28,000 CCTV recordings which was then whittled down by police to seven hours of footage compiled from buses, trains and stations.
Making effective use of security technologies
During both incidents, the police service was able to use London’s extensive network of congestion charging cameras. ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) systems have proven to be particularly beneficial, enabling police officers to piece together the movement of vehicles in the lead-up to incidents.
Recent developments in surveillance technology have also allowed it to be become an increasingly effective crime fighting tool. With the advent of video analytics, for example, images from CCTV cameras can now be automatically analysed to create useful information about their content, instantly alerting operators.
The scope of video analytics is certainly impressive and expands all the time. A particular application of this technology – and one that’s invaluable in the protection against the risk of terrorist attacks in large areas – is object left/object removed.
For ‘object left’ this is especially useful in situations where a bag, for example, has been left unattended. Further action can be taken to ascertain whether there’s an innocent explanation or, crucially, if it’s indeed a suspicious package that may necessitate evacuation of the immediate area.
When it comes to ‘object removed’, this offers the ability to notify CCTV operators should an item be moved from a set location. This is of particular use with areas of the transport system such as railway and bus stations where, due to their very nature, it’s not possible to carry out extensive security checks on individuals as you would in airports.
In 2007, the busy Clapham Junction Station in London was among the first in the country to benefit from the installation of a CCTV system equipped with video analytics specifically aimed at addressing the growing risk of terrorist attacks. The cameras were installed to help in the identification of suspicious behaviour and in spotting unattended equipment. In recent years, of course, this technology has been rolled out to many other stations in the UK transport network.
Focus on the 2011 August riots
During the UK riots last year, the technology was also brought into the spotlight.
“Thanks to video analytics,” said Simon Adcock (chairman of the BSIA’s CCTV Section) after the events of last summer, “the whereabouts of the individuals involved can be confirmed, tracing them back to an earlier time when, for example, they didn’t have their hoodie on, allowing for a clearer view of the face. Moreover, CCTV images enabled officers to locate where items carrying forensic evidence could be found, for example by tracking drink cans from recordings of the moment and location of disposal.”
However, it’s not only static cameras that can be employed in the fight against transport crime, but also mobile CCTV. This is used by both the police service and the transport sector.
In a trial of mobile digital CCTV recorders in the Netherlands conducted by NS (Netherlands Railways) on eight Sprinter trains operating along the Zoetermeer Stadslijn (City Line), it was found that 60% of commuter train passengers felt safer with digital recorders and cameras installed.
Train staff also believed that their working environment had improved while damage due to vandalism plummeted by 45%. Significantly, the success of the trial has led to the systems’ expansion to every double train on the Dutch route, each featuring 14 cameras and two recorders.
There’s no doubt that technology is increasingly playing a major part in helping to secure the transport infrastructure against serious attacks and vandalism, as well as in facilitating the conviction of those responsible.
Given the expansion in scope of CCTV, though, the need to promote Best Practice in the use of this technology is paramount to its success.
Members of the British Security Industry Association’s CCTV Section meet strict quality criteria, and are keen promoters of Best Practice in the CCTV world. Their expertise allows them to provide tailored and effective advice on the responsible application of CCTV technology.
For more information visit the dedicated section of the official BSIA website
Operation Tornado: limiting scope for metal thieves
Following a successful trial in the North West, Operation Tornado is now being rolled out across the UK.
This initiative is one of the many ways in which the police service, scrap dealers and industry are working together to combat the increased incidence of metal theft.
It requires anyone who wants to sell metal parts to a participating dealer to provide photographic proof of identity. This process makes it more difficult for a metal thief to sell-on illegally acquired product, thus limiting the market in which they can operate.
Operation Tornado has recently been introduced in the South of England, too, with many scrap dealers already participating in an effort to highlight their commitment to helping counter metal theft.
The region has been particularly vulnerable to this type of criminal activity, with the BBC reporting only last month that metal theft incidents in Sussex alone have quadrupled in the last two years. This includes metal stolen from churches, memorials, railways and schools.
The latter in particular have been affected at the expense of pupils, not only causing interruptions to teaching services but also posing a Health and Safety threat. In May, for example, a school in Eastleigh had to close as lead theft from the premises’ roof caused the buildings to flood following heavy rain.
Sadly, this is not an issue affecting only the southern region. In February, hundreds of children in Wales were also sent home after metal thieves stole copper piping from the school’s heating system.
These examples – and many more besides – show the scale of the damage that this type of criminal behaviour can cause to schools, all of whom have a Duty of Care towards their pupils but are often faced with limited resources to counter these crimes.
Where does property marking come into the equation?
Initiatives such as Operation Tornado are certainly important, and the security industry has also been hard at work to find flexible and effective solutions to the issue – property marking being one of them.
As well as deploying electronic solutions such as CCTV and motion detection, in fact, the more subtle solution of property marking can help police detect crimes of metal theft, with a number of thieves receiving prison sentences as a result.
The effectiveness of such products is based on the sound principle that marked property is easily traceable and difficult for criminals to explain away.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) states that there’s considerable evidence to show burglars and receivers of stolen goods dislike well marked property because anyone found in possession of it is likely to be convicted of an offence. This, of course, also applies to the theft of metal.
Moreover, the flexible application of property marking, combined with its discreet and unobtrusive nature, makes it a particularly popular and effective measure to keep school property protected.
The BSIA’s Cash and Property Marking Section members have a wealth of experience of providing these solutions to the education sector. Meeting the Association’s strict membership criteria also means they are a safe and effective port of call for schools across the country eager to heighten their security cover.
For more information and to identify a BSIA Cash and Property Marking Section provider, click here
The Big Issue: BSIA Scottish Luncheon tackles the issue of police reform
The BSIA’s 2012 Scottish Luncheon took place at the House of the Art Lover at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow on Wednesday 13 June.
The theme of this year’s popular event and seminar, targeted at BSIA members based in Scotland, was the topical issue of the reform of the Scottish Police and Fire and Rescue Services (as announced by Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, last September).
This reform – backed by Government legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament on 27 June 2012 in the form of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill – will create a single police service and single Fire and Rescue Service for Scotland to serve local communities and meet the demands and challenges of the 21st Century.
This process will see the merger of the current eight police and fire and rescue services operating throughout Scotland.
Andrew Morris (chief superintendent of the National Police Reform Team) and Dr Nick Bland of the Scottish Government Police Reform Delivery Unit were present at the event, providing members and their guests with an informative insight into the planning, ongoing work and impact of these important changes.
Assistant chief fire officer Lewis Ramsay, from the Community Safety Department of Strathcyde’s Fire and Rescue Service, was unfortunately unable to attend on the day but his presentation was given by the BSIA’s technical director Alex Carmichael.
Tom Morton, of event sponsor Argyll, also gave an informative presentation on the topic of ‘safeguarding people: a public/private partnership’.
The seminar programme was then followed by a reception and three-course luncheon, providing an ideal opportunity for members to network with the speakers and like-minded professionals from within the BSIA’s membership.
Crucial developments affecting the sector
Willie Clark, Scottish regional representative at the BSIA, said: “Each year the BSIA’s Scottish Luncheon provides an important opportunity for our members to network with each other and their customers so that they might remain fully informed on crucial developments affecting their industry and marketplace.”
Clark continued: “The issue around reform of the Scottish Police and Fire and Rescue Service and the ongoing developments that will go live on 1 April 2013 will undoubtedly impact on the private security sector in Scotland. Being able to give our members a valuable insight into the Government’s plans and maintaining key links is a key priority for the Association.”
In conclusion, Clark explained: “I look forward to the year ahead working and with our members on raising still further the profile of the BSIA and professional security solutions providers in Scotland.”
For more information on the BSIA and its events calendar, or to locate a reputable security provider in your region, visit the Trade Association’s Home Page and Events Section
Amanda Beesley is PR and marketing communications manager at the British Security Industry Association