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“One thing is certain: anyone promoting CCTVs for deterrence is most likely selling something, probably CCTVs”
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CCTV as a deterrent to street crime does not work. The idea that if we are watched continually we will behave ourselves is simply not true and numerous studies as well as real life examples have proven this over the years. As someone who makes their living out of selling CCTV, you may be surprised to hear me say this but as Cory Doctorow pointed out in the aftermath of the London riots, “nothing works at making us behave ourselves like conscience and aspiration”.
In the UK there are almost 6 million CCTV cameras watching its inhabitants, in the US there are estimated 30 million cameras made up of both private and public systems and all these systems produce literally billions of hours of often poor quality footage that need to be viewed in the event of an incident.
During the 2011 London riots the police had to view over 200, 000 hours of CCTV footage to identify 5000 offenders and this task took approximately 5 months. The extensive CCTV network did not deter the rioters. Until fairly recently the only way to monitor the footage collected by all these CCTV cameras was through manual processing. A very slow and tedious process.
CCTV does work in situations where crimes are planned. CCTV in parking garages, banks and jewellery stores absolutely works at identifying criminals in the aftermath of a crime. And it’s presence unconditionally dissuades criminals. The addition of CCTV cameras to alarm systems to record only on the activation of an intrusion alarm is a well proven idea.
As the example of the London riots shows- CCTV also works to solve crimes. In the UK now 7 out of every 10 homicides are solved as a direct result of CCTV footage. In London 6 crimes per day from petty theft to serious assaults are solved through the viewing of surveillance footage. The identification of the Boston Bombers came about as a direct result of CCTV footage obtained on the day of the Boston marathon.
So, we know that this technology has its place. Of course, a very important detail in the installation of a successful surveillance system is the technical specifications of the equipment involved but that is a whole other discussion. What I am more concerned with and what I’m going to talk about today is its successful management to enhance actual community safety and not just the perception of community safety.
Whilst I am very much a technologist, I also strongly believe that the relationship between technology and man is the key to using any kind of electronic security effectively.
The real value of a successful CCTV installation lies in the amalgamation of man and machine.
CCTV cameras need to be monitored, they are designed not to just record incidents but monitor activities in a venue or at an event to prevent those incidents occurring.
In the aftermath of the London bombings in 2005 which left 56 people dead, over 100 police offices trawled through thousands of hours of un-monitored, grainy CCTV footage in order to track the path of the bombers. It was a considerable task. London has a record number of CCTV cameras but is proof that without human involvement in their everyday use, their value is limited.
Today, the London bus service has a significant, monitored CCTV network installed in their 8500 vehicles. They have a designated data retrieval team that ensures the standards of the footage are maintained and crime across the transport network has fallen considerably since its introduction. London has learned the hard way from experience. In Australia, we should be taking note and learning from these lessons in the UK, The US and Europe in the aftermath of terrorist activities.
Likewise, Sydney has a monitored CCTV camera network that is able to alert the police in real time and help literally catch criminals in the act. The 99 camera network is monitored 24 hours a day and in 2014 the operators alerted the police 1084 times to help foil amongst other crimes armed robbery and assaults. Up to 6 operators at any one-time man the system from their control room and alert police to possible and unfolding criminal activity. This system works because of the human element overseeing the technological. Many towns and cities use a ‘set and forget’ approach to CCTV installations and this is not helping foster community safety. City of Sydney’s example shows how the technology can and should be used.
In the UK there are almost 6 million CCTV cameras watching its inhabitants, in the US there are estimated 30 million cameras made up of both private and public systems and all these systems produce literally billions of hours of often poor quality footage that need to be viewed in the event of an incident.
During the 2011 London riots the police had to view over 200, 000 hours of CCTV footage to identify 5000 offenders and this task took approximately 5 months. The extensive CCTV network did not deter the rioters. Until fairly recently the only way to monitor the footage collected by all these CCTV cameras was through manual processing. A very slow and tedious process.
CCTV does work in situations where crimes are planned. CCTV in parking garages, banks and jewellery stores absolutely works at identifying criminals in the aftermath of a crime. And it’s presence unconditionally dissuades criminals. The addition of CCTV cameras to alarm systems to record only on the activation of an intrusion alarm is a well proven idea.
As the example of the London riots shows- CCTV also works to solve crimes. In the UK now 7 out of every 10 homicides are solved as a direct result of CCTV footage. In London 6 crimes per day from petty theft to serious assaults are solved through the viewing of surveillance footage. The identification of the Boston Bombers came about as a direct result of CCTV footage obtained on the day of the Boston marathon.
So, we know that this technology has its place. Of course, a very important detail in the installation of a successful surveillance system is the technical specifications of the equipment involved but that is a whole other discussion. What I am more concerned with and what I’m going to talk about today is its successful management to enhance actual community safety and not just the perception of community safety.
Whilst I am very much a technologist, I also strongly believe that the relationship between technology and man is the key to using any kind of electronic security effectively.
The real value of a successful CCTV installation lies in the amalgamation of man and machine.
CCTV cameras need to be monitored, they are designed not to just record incidents but monitor activities in a venue or at an event to prevent those incidents occurring.
In the aftermath of the London bombings in 2005 which left 56 people dead, over 100 police offices trawled through thousands of hours of un-monitored, grainy CCTV footage in order to track the path of the bombers. It was a considerable task. London has a record number of CCTV cameras but is proof that without human involvement in their everyday use, their value is limited.
Today, the London bus service has a significant, monitored CCTV network installed in their 8500 vehicles. They have a designated data retrieval team that ensures the standards of the footage are maintained and crime across the transport network has fallen considerably since its introduction. London has learned the hard way from experience. In Australia, we should be taking note and learning from these lessons in the UK, The US and Europe in the aftermath of terrorist activities.
Likewise, Sydney has a monitored CCTV camera network that is able to alert the police in real time and help literally catch criminals in the act. The 99 camera network is monitored 24 hours a day and in 2014 the operators alerted the police 1084 times to help foil amongst other crimes armed robbery and assaults. Up to 6 operators at any one-time man the system from their control room and alert police to possible and unfolding criminal activity. This system works because of the human element overseeing the technological. Many towns and cities use a ‘set and forget’ approach to CCTV installations and this is not helping foster community safety. City of Sydney’s example shows how the technology can and should be used.
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Active vs. Passive MonitoringActive monitoring rather than passive monitoring of CCTV is, in my opinion, the most crucial element of a successful surveillance system and one which can realise the goal of increasing public safety. This is often a problematic component of the installation as much of the Government funding for CCTV installations covers only the infrastructure element of the system and not any ongoing expense. I would argue that some active surveillance monitoring rather than non is worth considering. Studies have proven systems that are only partially monitored by trained volunteers are far more effective than systems that have no active monitoring whatsoever.
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In Australia only 10% of surveillance systems are actively monitored
In Melbourne, a mobile open-street CCTV program is in place. Cars fitted with surveillance cameras drive around the city and collect footage that is then uploaded to a server at the end of a shift. This non real time, passive monitoring of surveillance footage has very limited value. Yes, the cost of actively monitoring a system is considerably higher than the ongoing costs associated with a passive system but the results are undoubtedly more favourable.
Another key element to the success of an actively monitored CCTV installation is communication and the relationship between the police and control room operators. Usually there is a telephone and/ or a radio link between the two. Whilst usually the control room is separate from the police it is obviously advisable for the police facility to be equipped with monitors to access the footage immediately in the event of an incident and there must be very clear procedures defining the roles of the police and the control room operators to maintain this vital relationship.
Even if the surveillance system installed is passive, the request for CCTV footage from the police is increasingly likely. In the most recent survey, 20% of local councils reported that they received a request for surveillance footage from the police at least once per week.
So a cooperative and symbiotic relationship between the council, local private security providers and local law enforcement is essential to ensuring that any CCTV system achieves its goals.
Another key element to the success of an actively monitored CCTV installation is communication and the relationship between the police and control room operators. Usually there is a telephone and/ or a radio link between the two. Whilst usually the control room is separate from the police it is obviously advisable for the police facility to be equipped with monitors to access the footage immediately in the event of an incident and there must be very clear procedures defining the roles of the police and the control room operators to maintain this vital relationship.
Even if the surveillance system installed is passive, the request for CCTV footage from the police is increasingly likely. In the most recent survey, 20% of local councils reported that they received a request for surveillance footage from the police at least once per week.
So a cooperative and symbiotic relationship between the council, local private security providers and local law enforcement is essential to ensuring that any CCTV system achieves its goals.
VCA- Video Content Analytics
Of course, with the advent of Video Content Analytics in our industry- the human element of a well-managed CCTV system just got a helping hand. VCA allows for cameras to detect certain suspicious activities or behaviours, like unattended packages or a car that circles a certain city street repeatedly. Whilst these technologies are evolving quickly and are certainly improving, their efficiency is difficult to determine and I’ve heard many customers complain they are simply not as effective as their marketers would have you believe.
Whats more, we still need well trained humans to help determine the perimeters and variables for the software to scan and to utilise this new technology adequately, operators monitoring CCTV cameras need to be trained in using VCA to maximise the investment in the technology.
Video Content Analytics (VCA) has witnessed an increasing traction across critical end-use applications, because of the inability of surveillance cameras alone in helping reduce crimes. It is predominantly Government users with sub applications of critical infrastructure, homeland, and border security that will be dominating the global VCA market till the end of this decade.
Certainly as things stand, VCA is most useful for monitoring major events where the goal is real-time situation awareness of large, diverse crowds. Information is easily shared with law enforcement, city and arena security officers. The simple fact is that this technology may not be a cost effective technology solution at this point for many local Governments and businesses.
Whats more, we still need well trained humans to help determine the perimeters and variables for the software to scan and to utilise this new technology adequately, operators monitoring CCTV cameras need to be trained in using VCA to maximise the investment in the technology.
Video Content Analytics (VCA) has witnessed an increasing traction across critical end-use applications, because of the inability of surveillance cameras alone in helping reduce crimes. It is predominantly Government users with sub applications of critical infrastructure, homeland, and border security that will be dominating the global VCA market till the end of this decade.
Certainly as things stand, VCA is most useful for monitoring major events where the goal is real-time situation awareness of large, diverse crowds. Information is easily shared with law enforcement, city and arena security officers. The simple fact is that this technology may not be a cost effective technology solution at this point for many local Governments and businesses.
“Public confidence has to be earned and maintained”
Wilson and Sutton; Australian Institute of Criminology, Nov 2003
Although many local governments develop a CCTV code of practice, this usually ends up sitting on a council Directors shelf and is rarely, if ever seen outside the council offices. Making this document available to the public has been proven to have an enormous effect on public feelings of safety- City of Sydney and Lismore City Council did this some years ago and just by explaining how the system is operated can influence the deterrent effect of CCTV and reduce feelings of fear in a community.
An evaluation in 2003 of the Sydney Safe City strategy found that 85.4% of people who were aware of the cameras in Sydney said it had a profound effect on their feelings of safety in the CBD
Public Awareness: signage, signage and more signage!
If your objective is to make the community feel secure in an area, prominently display signage that tells the community that surveillance is in operation and where. Remind the public that a system is in place. If you are upgrading a system, make it public knowledge. There is far more benefit to a community knowing about a surveillance system than not.
If your objective is to make the community feel secure in an area, prominently display signage that tells the community that surveillance is in operation and where. Remind the public that a system is in place. If you are upgrading a system, make it public knowledge. There is far more benefit to a community knowing about a surveillance system than not.
Location, Location, Location
There is limited Australian based data available on the success of CCTV in reducing crime and creating safer communities. The British have undertaken several studies into this though and another key criterion to evaluate when considering whether a CCTV solution is relevant is location.
CCTV is most effective in specific locations where good coverage can be ensured. Car parks and underground train stations are confined areas where it is possible to achieve nearly 100 per cent coverage. CCTV is more likely to succeed as a prevention strategy when there are no ‘blind spots’ that can be exploited by criminals.
CCTV is most effective in specific locations where good coverage can be ensured. Car parks and underground train stations are confined areas where it is possible to achieve nearly 100 per cent coverage. CCTV is more likely to succeed as a prevention strategy when there are no ‘blind spots’ that can be exploited by criminals.
Case Study: Rapid Scout HQ (Formerly known as the MCCC)
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The issue of location in CCTV installations is something my company and I have sought to explore further with the design and creation of a Mobile CCTV Command Centre. We were initially approached to design an effective surveillance solution for a large scale event with a focus on active monitoring of the system for a short period of time.
The idea that in order for a surveillance design to be successful in deterring and solving crime as well as enhancing community safety was at the forefront of this project. We understood that as far as location is concerned, studies show that you have to enclose your area of surveillance and lock it down so that you can see everything that happens in that space. The MCCC employs the very latest CCTV technology to do this with both on board and with a suite of rapidly deployable stand- alone camera options capable of communicating with the vehicle and transmitting footage from a 15 km perimeter back to the vehicle.
The MCCC was initially built as a service for hire and one of the main reasons for this was the inclusion of 2 highly trained technicians with every hire. Having technicians to program and maintain the equipment was vital not just from an effective set-up and active monitoring perspective but also because studies have shown time and again that the addition of well- trained security personnel to a CCTV strategy is essential.
The MCCC also has a set of crowd controller body cameras with live streaming capabilities that effectively integrate personnel working with the vehicle to the technology.
The idea that in order for a surveillance design to be successful in deterring and solving crime as well as enhancing community safety was at the forefront of this project. We understood that as far as location is concerned, studies show that you have to enclose your area of surveillance and lock it down so that you can see everything that happens in that space. The MCCC employs the very latest CCTV technology to do this with both on board and with a suite of rapidly deployable stand- alone camera options capable of communicating with the vehicle and transmitting footage from a 15 km perimeter back to the vehicle.
The MCCC was initially built as a service for hire and one of the main reasons for this was the inclusion of 2 highly trained technicians with every hire. Having technicians to program and maintain the equipment was vital not just from an effective set-up and active monitoring perspective but also because studies have shown time and again that the addition of well- trained security personnel to a CCTV strategy is essential.
The MCCC also has a set of crowd controller body cameras with live streaming capabilities that effectively integrate personnel working with the vehicle to the technology.
Major and sporting events are common in Australia and as we see repeatedly overseas, they are a popular target for terrorism and crime. Studies have shown that CCTV is at its most effective when used with high coverage and with other interventions such as additional security guards and prominent lighting. The MCCC aims to provide a security solution that integrates the manpower and the technological sides to create safer events.
Basically, this product was designed and built from my years of experience installing commercial grade surveillance systems and was the opportunity to create a solution flexible enough to work in a myriad of situations but with all the factors I’ve talked about here, to make a successful surveillance solution and one which does enhance the feeling of community safety. CCTV is very useful, ever evolving technology. It can, when used as I’ve discussed here lead to a reduction in crimes against people and property, a reduction of feelings of anxiety and fear within a community, it enhances personal safety by leading to early intervention in cases of self- harm and abuse and it undoubtedly leads to higher conviction rates in the judicial system as a now indispensable forensic tool.
BUT- CCTV is not a standalone measure- if you take nothing else away from this discussion here today- remember that. If your organisation is not willing to fund the additional costs to make a CCTV installation truly effective, like an independent evaluation and auditing program and the training of staff to manage the system then they are guaranteeing the system failure.
Basically, this product was designed and built from my years of experience installing commercial grade surveillance systems and was the opportunity to create a solution flexible enough to work in a myriad of situations but with all the factors I’ve talked about here, to make a successful surveillance solution and one which does enhance the feeling of community safety. CCTV is very useful, ever evolving technology. It can, when used as I’ve discussed here lead to a reduction in crimes against people and property, a reduction of feelings of anxiety and fear within a community, it enhances personal safety by leading to early intervention in cases of self- harm and abuse and it undoubtedly leads to higher conviction rates in the judicial system as a now indispensable forensic tool.
BUT- CCTV is not a standalone measure- if you take nothing else away from this discussion here today- remember that. If your organisation is not willing to fund the additional costs to make a CCTV installation truly effective, like an independent evaluation and auditing program and the training of staff to manage the system then they are guaranteeing the system failure.