Partnership drives CCTV

The benefits to be gained from the operation of public space, ‘fixed’ CCTV systems are well documented and positively experienced on a daily basis across the UK. However, the requirement to tackle a variety of displaced anti-social behaviour and criminal activity is something that – until recently at least – is a battle which has had to be fought with more conventional means. And without the support of the full array of high-tech equipment that crime fighters within our towns and cities now take for granted.

Finding himself in this precise situation and identifying a need to address a variety of issues, Frank Cannon (CCTV manager and community safety officer with Huntingdonshire District Council) turned his attention to viable solutions that would help to extend the operational effectiveness of surveillance monitoring beyond the fixed CCTV systems’ boundaries as currently deployed in Huntingdon and three surrounding towns – St Neots, St Ives and Ramsey.

Examining the feasibility of a mobile CCTV vehicle and the role it could play within situational and social crime reduction, Cannon researched the on-board equipment specifications and practical deployment of several mobile CCTV vehicle operators to assess and analyse their experience levels. In detailing how such a vehicle might be used to create opportunities to tackle a variety of issues external to the fixed town centre systems (and including outlying villages), he drew up a detailed report that would help to support town and parish councils promote the security message – and, importantly, reduce the fear of crime.

After presentation of the report to the Council, a positive decision was made to purchase a dedicated mobile CCTV vehicle and fund the capital cost of any ongoing maintenance.

Councillor Derek Holley (leader of Huntingdonshire District Council) told SMT:

“There has been clear evidence of a need for CCTV from many communities within our district to help alleviate the fear of crime and make people feel safer in their own environment. The investment in this vehicle represents part of our major programme of providing public services that maintain and, wherever possible, enhance the quality of life for residents.”

The procurement process

With the operational requirements for the mobile CCTV vehicle ironed out, Pete Lummis – acting CCTV manager – then approached consultant Barrie Loftus of CCTV Security Services.

Loftus had previously specified the Huntingdon town centre CCTV system and provided Newark, Great Yarmouth and Harrow with their own mobile surveillance vehicles, and Lummis wanted his expert assistance in turning Huntingdonshire’s blueprint operational needs into a practical CCTV vehicle specification.

Focusing on how the mobile CCTV vehicle would be effectively deployed to address crime and anti-social behaviour, and to improve the quality of life in local business parks and neighbourhoods, the final specification was based around a Mercedes 311 Sprinter van. This was to be fitted out with a comprehensive surveillance system including a two-man control desk, one six metre and one three metre telescopic mast for an infrared-supported camera and an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera.

The specification also included Swift rapid deployment radio-linked cameras, analogue and digital recording equipment and integrated control by way of a Synectics X250 matrix system. With the final specification confirmed, six companies were invited to tender for the conversion and fit-out of the Council-supplied vehicle. Based on the company’s reputation for project management, quality of installation work and prior experience in the field of specialised mobile CCTV vehicles, Quadrant Video Systems was eventually awarded the cutting-edge GB pound 150,000 contract.

While recognising the role the Council would be playing as owner of the vehicle (and that of Cambridgeshire Constabulary as the CCTV system operator), Pete Lummis and his line manager Sonia Hansen forged a working partnership with the police which led to the formation of a dedicated mobile vehicle police CCTV team. As part of that initiative, the Council appointed a mobile CCTV vehicle operator – Brian Clark – to manage and co-ordinate the vehicle’s maintenance and general day-to-day operation.

Effective system deployment

Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s Sergeant Stuart Morgan, who’s responsible for the on-board ANPR system, explained the vehicle’s typical deployment. “Depending on the requirements, we can use the van in either an overt or covert mode,” he suggested. “Up until now we’ve only had to use it overtly.”

Morgan continued: “Tackling the phenomenon of crime displacement, or ‘fallout’ as it’s often referred to, the vehicle has also been used in areas outside of Huntingdon’s fixed CCTV system coverage where no surveillance coverage exists. Its substantial visual deterrent factor has been harnessed as part of the Huntingdon Against Retail Crime initiative, where we’ve used the vehicle in areas of criminal activity to monitor retail premises on trading parks along the town’s outskirts.”

The flexible nature of the CCTV vehicle allows rapid response and deployment within crime ‘hot spots’. For example, its use at a local park where in excess of 200 youths had regularly gathered to race cars has been effective in dissuading them from this anti-social behaviour, with the additional benefit that local residents are assured the police are taking action to do something about it. On a regular basis, the mobile CCTV vehicle is improving the lives of local people and businesses by removing troublemakers from ‘hot spot’ areas.

The deployment of sophisticated ANPR technology offers a highly effective tool for the detection of car-related crime. “As it’s linked to a local database or that of the Police National Computer,” added Morgan, “we can use the ANPR to spot vehicles with no tax, those that have been reported stolen or those known to belong to local drug dealers.”

Morgan is adamant about the benefits to be gained by using ANPR. “All-in-all, ANPR engenders the effective use of police time, allowing extremely focused and selective policing. In the event of a major incident, the vehicle could also be used as a forward communications centre, relaying valuable information back to the central communications Control Centre.”

Mobile CCTV: the verdict

Concluding his assessment of the mobile CCTV vehicle’s use to date, Pete Lummis told SMT: “The Council-local police partnership has been successfully devoted to an objective, problem-solving approach to implementing a mobile surveillance solution. We’re still developing its application and role within tactical policing, but already officers are convinced of its value.”

Apparently, the vehicle’s readily available to other departments and groups like the Street Wardens so they can capture evidence of illegal fly tipping, for example.

Whether it be used as a crime deterrent or to actually detect crimes in progress, it’s clear that mobile CCTV has a central role to play on the systems side of the ‘extended police family’. Could it not be a viable solution for some of your security requirements? Worth considering, perhaps.