The role of UK CCTV in safety and what lies ahead

Types of CCTV cameras in the UK

UK organizations in the public and private sectors use different types of CCTV cameras and systems to help address their safety and security concerns. Each type of camera has specific features that help organizations and security teams overcome certain challenges, so choosing the right setup is important to combating your security issues. Below are some of the most popular types of security cameras.

Bullet CCTV cameras

Bullet CCTV cameras capture long-range footage, have a narrow field of view, and can feature night vision capabilities and a weather-resistant enclosure. This makes them ideal for use where coverage of open spaces, such as building perimeters, parking lots and long hallways, is essential.

Dome CCTV cameras

Dome CCTV cameras possess wide-angle lenses to capture footage of large spaces including gymnasiums, warehouses and shopping centers. They also feature a protective enclosure that helps safeguard the lens from damage and weather conditions.

Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) CCTV cameras

PTZ CCTV cameras feature motorized joints that enable operators to adjust viewing angles from a remote location. This makes them ideal for capturing footage of large outdoor spaces where objects of interest can be followed through a scene to support security operations.

Multisensor CCTV cameras

Multisensor CCTV cameras, also known as 360-degree cameras, feature more than one camera lens to capture panoramic footage. As a result, one multisensor camera can deliver the coverage that two or three bullet or dome cameras can. This makes them a cost-effective choice for observing activity over vast retail spaces, lobbies and airport terminals.

Does CCTV reduce crime?

According to the College of Policing’s Crime Reduction Toolkit, CCTV has reduced crime. A study shows that:

• Crime decreased by 13% in places with CCTV compared to places without it. 
• CCTV helped reduce drug-related crime by 20% and vehicle and property crime by 14%.
• Active monitoring reduced crime by 15% more than CCTV systems without it. 
• When combined with other physical security measures, such as improved lighting, perimeter fences and signaling, CCTV reduced crime by 34%. 
• Violent crime was not affected by the presence of CCTV cameras. In these cases, video footage becomes an invaluable tool to track down suspects afterward. 

Based on the studies the toolkit consulted, CCTV is most effective when operators carry out real-time monitoring and when camera coverage is extensive and combined with other crime prevention solutions, such as street lighting. 

As a result, a modern CCTV system is required to help ensure optimal security. Older CCTV systems may not have the necessary features to observe safety and security in target areas, such as AI video analytics to detect threats, night vision to capture events in low light, high-resolution image quality for clear video and integration capabilities to enhance overall efficiency.

Advancements in CCTV technology

Over the last decade, the most significant advancement in CCTV technology has been the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. This single advancement has transformed UK security cameras from passive systems to proactive solutions that enable security teams to enhance the effectiveness of their operations and combat crime.

By introducing AI and machine learning, UK organizations can:

• Detect threats in real-time: AI algorithms can analyze footage to identify patterns that may indicate a security threat to people, property or assets. Machine learning models can use AI video analytics, such as object detection and facial recognition, to detect suspicious objects and identify known criminals in a scene.
• Improve detection accuracy: AI improves detection accuracy by distinguishing genuine threats from false alarms, which helps to improve security efficiency and resource use.
• Respond to security threats quickly: AI instantly notifies security teams of threats, enabling faster incident responses that prevent escalation. Not only does this result in greater operational efficiency and quicker incident responses, but it also helps save lives, prevent financial damage and reduce disruption.
• Discover high-risk areas: By analyzing data and patterns, AI can help inform organizations which areas or facilities have a higher crime risk. This enables security teams to take proactive measures to help mitigate the risk.
• Integration with the Internet of Things (IoT): AI-powered security cameras in London, England and the UK can integrate with other IoT devices, such as smart sensors, to create a comprehensive security system that generates greater situational awareness, faster incident responses and efficient investigations.

How is CCTV used in different industries?

Industries across Britain use CCTV systems for various purposes. It’s important to note that not all businesses and organizations use CCTV for crime prevention. Some utilize video security to improve business decision-making, analyze customer behavior or help manage operations. Below, you will find how different industries utilize CCTV technology.

• Commercial: In commercial settings, like office spaces, CCTV is utilized to help safeguard employees and visitors from internal and external threats and help detect potential trespassing events.
• Retail: In the retail industry, CCTV could help detect instances of shoplifting and shrinkage, protect staff from abusive customers and investigate liability claims. AI-powered retail CCTV is also used to observe customer behavior. The data collected can help drive decision-making from product placement to the customer journey through a store.
• Education: Across school and college campuses, CCTV helps to protect students, staff and visitors from internal and external security threats, such as intruders and bullying.
• Healthcare: The safety of patients and staff is paramount in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Hospital CCTV cameras help detect threats such as abusive visitors and protect medicinal stock from theft.
• Airports: From the parking lot to boarding gates, CCTV enables airport security staff to observe activity for suspicious behavior, including trespassing, intoxicated passengers and left luggage. Airport staff also use CCTV to monitor weather conditions and direct traffic on aprons and runways.
• Critical infrastructure: Energy substations, flood defenses and other critical infrastructure are usually in remote locations, away from urban areas. CCTV allows critical infrastructure organizations to observe lone worker safety and security at the site and support general operations and maintenance activities.

CCTV privacy and GDPR compliance

Since the introduction of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), organizations using CCTV on their premises must take certain measures to protect privacy and ensure that footage of employees and the general public is stored and used appropriately.

This includes registering their details with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and paying a data protection fee unless they are exempt. Organizations must also only keep footage for as long as it is needed, after which it should be deleted. People on-site should be informed that security cameras are operating by displaying clear signs that are easy to read.

People also have the right to request footage of themselves if they wish to see it. When storing footage, many companies will restrict access to it and anonymize people’s faces to ensure that the data stored contains an appropriate amount of information for its intended purpose.

The future of CCTV

CCTV technology is advancing quickly and video security solutions that seemed unnecessary or expensive a few years ago might be essential and affordable in the near future. In recent years, there has been a growing trend in the application of AI and machine learning, as well as the adoption of cloud-based CCTV technology. This trend is expected to continue.

Cyber-resilient systems

As the world becomes more interconnected and reliance on security technology, such as CCTV, becomes greater, organizations are more exposed to cybersecurity risks. With cyber-attacks on the rise, manufacturers of London and UK camera systems are expected to strengthen cyber security defenses and capabilities of their technologies. As a result, UK organizations and businesses can expect to see more cyber-resilient CCTV offerings that will help to deliver enhanced safety without compromising cybersecurity.

Unified security solutions

One of the major shifts in CCTV has been the movement towards unifying commercial security systems for improved safety, efficiency gains and lower investment costs. In the past, introducing new technology meant replacing a large part of the existing infrastructure, if not all, to accommodate the new solution. This was costly, time-consuming and led to inefficient operations.

Now, as organizations move their CCTV operations to the cloud, new cameras, software and other systems, such as access control and sensor technology, can seamlessly integrate into the existing infrastructure. ONVIF conformant CCTV cameras and systems help enable this through their open platform.

As a result, organizations and businesses can unify their security systems to deliver greater situational awareness, more efficient operations, higher productivity and faster response times to threats, all while saving time and money.

Conclusion

CCTV in the UK continues to play a key role in protecting businesses and organizations of all sizes in the public and private sectors. As crime levels rise in cities and rural areas, people, property and assets need to be protected.

With supporting evidence that shows CCTV helps reduce crime and key technological advancements that enable security teams to deliver better safety, business leaders, managers and stakeholders can rely on video security to help their organization.

With the rise in AI, cloud and open-platform CCTV solutions, organizations have a plethora of effective security camera technology offerings that can help deliver better outcomes, such as enhanced safety, higher productivity levels and more efficient business operations. However, privacy rules must be respected and organizations need to comply with GDPR to avoid costly penalties.