Guild of Security UK Ltd - JVC reduces the fear of crime

Over 1000 Birmingham retail outlets, their staff and shoppers are protected

London, UK - Fifteen JVC dome cameras, model TK-C655EB have been installed in an outdoor multi-camera surveillance system by the Security Design Centre supported by the West Midlands Police. Images from the cameras are monitored on six 17-inch high resolution JVC monitors, model TM-H170G in the Elite Security control room in Birmingham, UK.

The investment in JVC surveillance systems is an ongoing project and was first funded in 2002 by the Capital Modernisation Fund for small Retailers. The security system oversees two retail areas: Acocks Green and Spark Hill / SparkBrook in Birmingham, UK. The main security threats include robberies, assaults, vandalism, burglaries, theft from stores, anti-social behavior, and large scale fly-tipping.

PC Grant Moss, Crime Reduction and Architectural Liaison Officer based at Acocks Green police station in West Midlands, outlines the reason for investing in CCTV. "This was the only local retail area that didn’t have CCTV and it was becoming apparent that crime was rising. It was therefore critical to reduce the shoppers’ fear of crime and, as a result, ensure the long term future of both retail areas."

Launched in October 2004, the TK-C655EB camera is equipped with a built-in switch to change from colour to monochrome and a mechanical IR filter. It has a 360 degree bird’s eye view and 25-1 zoom lens. Clear and crisp images of 480 lines of horizontal resolution are captured with the ¼-inch interline transfer CCD. For this installation the dome camera’s automatic pan, tilt and zoom functions are utilised for surveillance.

The Elite Security control room has a radio base station which links the retail units to the control room. The radio connection has an inbuilt panic button that is numbered in conjunction with the cameras, and in the event of an incident an officer can instantly view images from the corresponding JVC camera. Surveillance images from the cameras are digitally recorded. The Elite Security Control room is manned 24 hours a day.

"The scheme has been highly effective. We have provided not only the best in security dome cameras and monitoring, but provided value for money and most important, the system has reduced crime and increased safety. Our system design is simple, yet so effective. The service and backup from JVC has been excellent," comments Hugh Toland, National Accounts Director from Security Design Centre.

Toland adds, "The camera images are always clear and work very well in varying lighting conditions, especially during dark winter nights. As proof of their clarity, a poster inside the ALDI shop, situated some 200 metres away from the dome camera can be read clearly! The high resolution JVC monitors provide functionality and long term reliability and complement the cameras in every way."

PC Grant Moss states, "We have a good working relationship by taking a partnership approach between the retailers, Elite Security, West Midlands Police and Security Design Centre. With the investment of JVC equipment, we are all contributing to a reduction in crime and a reduction in the fear of crime."

About JVC

JVC Professional Europe Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Victor Company of Japan, Limited and is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of video and data-related products.