The UK tourist attraction LEGOLAND Windsor has two million annual visitors. Giant letters, made of LEGO, spell out ‘WELCOME’ on the entrance drive. However, a security issue arose: how to protect the letters from over-enthusiastic visitors in a discreet way that wouldn’t undermine their message?
LEGOLAND turned to a smart motion sensor alarm system developed by Call Systems Technology (CST). LEGOLAND Welcome and Security Manager Geoff Horwood says: “We had an alarm system provided by a different supplier but it was unreliable and very expensive. The letters and their associated LEGO friends represent a significant investment – each is made of thousands of specially treated small LEGO bricks and requires craftsmanship, patience and plenty of love to construct. We need, discreetly, to protect our assets. The entrance drive is our guests’ first experience of LEGOLAND and the letters and ‘friends’ provide their earliest step into our land of ‘make believe’. CST’s solution is ideal, as it is totally hidden. There are no unsightly aerials. It was easy to install; it’s weatherproof and, most important of all, it works!” Motion sensors are mounted on the letters and figures. If an alarm is activated, a pop-up appears on screen in the security gatehouse, staffed 24-7, stating which letter ‘activated’. Security staff then use CCTV to check if vandalism caused the alarm, or weather, or another cause, and can instruct relevant staff to go to the area.
The LEGOLAND system is based around CST’s Genesis software, which creates a log of any activities related to the alarms. “The reporting is very useful,” says Geoff Horwood. “When I arrive in the morning I can see what alarms have been activated overnight, how fast the response times were and so on. It also highlights continuing problems so we can react accordingly.”
Another issue for any tourist attraction is the seasonal nature of some staff. “The CST system is exceedingly simple to manage,” says Geoff Horwood. “In fact, I’d say ease of use is absolutely superb. We have produced a basic training manual for new staff but, frankly, it’s something that can be picked up in seconds.”
Horwood adds: “We have also opted for a maintenance package that ensures the system is serviced annually, all parts checked with any batteries being replaced. Thus we know exactly what the budget is each year. It’s providing very good value for money. I’d definitely recommend it.”
For details, freephone Call Systems Technology, based in Edgware, London, on 0800 389 5642 or 020 8381 1338, email the company at [email protected] or visit the CST website:
