As a result of installing cctv and audio links into the residential high rise buildings in Nottingham, monitored from a central control room, the security has improved and maintenance costs have been reduced.
Not only do residents feel safer in these buildings, leading to fewer empty properties, but the incidence of malicious damage both by visitors and tenants has fallen. The cameras are monitored from a central control centre designed and constructed specifically for the purpose. The project was awarded to Delaware Communications, part of the OpenView Group. More than 1500 cameras feed into the centre. Operators can choose which cameras to view – many are motion detected – and using OpenView’s Icon system can control the cameras through joystick and touch screen controls.
What they say
A council spokesman said: “We had a frequent incidence of apartment doors being kicked down, apparently by intruders, which cost the Council thousands of pounds. After the cameras were installed on individual floors we were able to see if, in fact, it was tenants doing damage to their own property. The need for replacing doors now has virtually disappeared, saving us considerable expense. Similarly graffiti and other damage have reduced.”
The control centre required linking the cameras all over the city via fibre optics and microwave to the control centre where feeds can be sent instantly to the police in the case of a crime in progress or recorded for use in evidence. Street cameras are particularly useful in enforcing ASBOs.
The costs of monitoring the cameras has also reduced once the need for individual building concierges disappeared. This allowed council staff to be redeployed to other activities.
About the firm
OpenView has also installed central control rooms in Leicester and Bristol and, through Delaware Communications, is discussing further contracts with other boroughs and city councils. The OpenView Group includes Cartel Security Systems plc and Delaware Communications plc. Its headquarters is in Romford with offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Leicester and Manchester. The Group employs more than 100 people and reports an annual turnover of £15m-plus. Managing Director is Mark Ingleson.
