National CCTV Improvement Week under way

The Trusted CCTV Improvement Project have this week been focusing on improving safety and security in the UK through National CCTV Improvement Week.

Running until this Saturday 12 May, National CCTV Improvement Week encourages security practitioners and business owners to test and review security camera installations to ensure they are operating efficiently.

The man behind the week is UK CCTV advisor Doktor Jon, who hopes that groups as diverse as local authorities, retailers, museums and airports will benefit from participating.

Next week’s IFSEC International show has announced that it supports the aims of the week, with event director Charlie Cracknell saying IFSEC Internatioanal “fully supports” the initiative.

“Security solutions such as CCTV can be highly effective in helping businesses protect/monitor their employees, premises and assets – but only if they are installed correctly and working properly. Implementing a security solution which is unfit for purpose, represents a wasted investment and could put your business in a vulnerable position, not only preventing you from protecting your organisation, but also from complying with the latest workplace regulations,” he said.

Doktor Jon described this support as “highly gratifying” and is encouraging people to visit IFSEC next week to follow up on any issues found this week.

He said, “Where a security camera system has been ‘health checked’ during National CCTV Improvement Week and existing issues have been identified, users and operators would undoubtedly benefit enormously from visiting IFSEC International the following week, where the extensive range of practical solutions and outstanding technical advice readily available at the show, would immediately help them to address their operational concerns as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

National CCTV Improvement Week is promoting a ’10 point plan’ for evaluating CCTV systems, that is designed to ensure systems are delivering on their operational objectives:

1 – Review the previous 12 months operation – specifically, carry out a Crime & Incident Audit and then compare it against any practical results achieved using the CCTV.

2 – Check individual CCTV camera locations and review the specific areas covered, particularly in relation to the size of ‘targets’ being displayed on screen.

3 – Evaluate the overall picture quality relative to its intended purposes; particularly if needed to fulfil a “Forensic Surveillance” role.

4 – Review the quality, suitability and effectiveness of all the system’s existing monitoring, display and transmission equipment.

5 – Test the video record quality of each camera in use, and determine its effectiveness and suitability for possible evidential use.

6 – Check and review all practical and technical procedures required to provide video recordings for evidential use.

7 – Evaluate current CCTV system monitoring procedures and ongoing maintenance practices.

8 – Review all aspects of Data Protection compliance and potential privacy concerns where applicable.

9 – Evaluate the overall CCTV performance and operations, in relation to the requirements of any existing operators “Code of Practice”

10 – Produce an appropriate action plan for initiating improvements and adjustments, where considered necessary.

More information on National CCTV Improvement Week can be found on their website.