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Business crime has been on the rise for many years due to varying macroeconomic and socioeconomic reasons. However, statistics also reveal that crime has substantially been reduced in businesses with the help of CCTV systems.
CCTV systems have been the cornerstone of modern surveillance since the 1940s and they continue to play a vital role in deterring crime and making our homes and businesses safe.
CCTV systems were initially not for every business due to their cost. Fortunately, thanks to better marketing competition and manufacturing advancements, CCTV systems are more accessible than ever.
If you run a business and want to secure your assets, protect your customers, and encourage a safe environment for employees, then a comprehensive CCTV system will not only provide you with peace of mind but will also positively impact the overall image of your brand.
Read below to learn more about CCTV cameras as well as a few case studies that highlight how businesses in different sectors are using CCTV to thwart crime and promote a safer experience for everyone.
BUILDING BLOCKS OF SECURITY
While there are a lot of security measures that businesses can take and plenty of security hardware that they can install to protect their business, a well-placed CCTV system is by far the best way to secure any type of business.
CCTV systems are an excellent way to continuously monitor a physical space and keep track of the footfall in the business. This is why CCTV systems are an excellent anti-crime measure for businesses that expect a lot of customer or employee interaction.
For example, retail businesses are often the most vulnerable to general theft and especially shoplifting. According to the British Retail Consortium, customer theft has grown to eight million incidents a year at a cost of nearly ÂŁ1 billion.
However, the good news is that with the help of CCTV systems, businesses can significantly cut down on these incidents and save hundreds of thousands of pounds every year.
WHY DO YOU NEED A CCTV SYSTEM FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
To get the most security for the business, business owners must begin with a basic CCTV system. CCTV systems have a proven track record of deterring crime and are ever-present in almost every type of situation that requires surveillance and monitoring.
According to research published by the British Retail Consortium, no business is immune to theft and small businesses are just as susceptible to safety and security threats as larger ones.
The truth is the impact of crime varies greatly and can affect businesses in different ways. For example, larger businesses may be able to recover from small-scale crimes like shoplifting, but small businesses may find it increasingly difficult to recover from these low-level criminal activities.
Small business owners may also find it difficult to afford insurance, especially when they run a business that has razor-sharp margins. So, even a small crime can set the business back significantly.
The good news is that there are several CCTV systems available for both small and larger businesses. The great thing about modern surveillance technology is that it is highly customisable and business owners can easily install a system that best fits their needs without breaking the bank.
Here are some of the top reasons why you should invest in an effective CCTV surveillance system:
Deterrence
Proactive decisions always prove to be beneficial for businesses. For example, a business that installs a CCTV system using a professional installation company will always remain secure compared to other businesses that skimp out on security hardware to save money.
If you want to deter crime, then get more eyes around the premises! CCTV plays a huge role in preventing crime because criminals are (and will always be) afraid of being caught on camera.
This way, if anyone is even considering robbing your business, they will immediately change their mind when they see cameras being pointed at vulnerable entry points.
CCTV systems are also a highly effective deterrent against burglaries, intrusions, vandalism, and other similar threats.
Monitoring Engagement
CCTV systems are an excellent tool to keep an eye on business activities. This includes keeping track of customers and employees in and around the premises.
This makes CCTV systems not just great security hardware to deter crime, but to also monitor all types of engagement in your business.
Many cash dealing businesses benefit from having CCTV systems installed in areas where currency is exchanged. This includes cash counters, vaults, safes, and virtually any area where money is exchanged.
Large businesses, especially retail stores also benefit from CCTV monitoring where they can keep an eye on the inflow and outflow of customers as well as employee engagement in the store. In fact, business owners can also opt for professional monitoring services.
Professional security companies like Calder Security offer 24/7 surveillance services where a team of experienced security personnel remotely monitor your premises for you.
The benefit of remote monitoring is that businesses don’t have to reserve a large space for security hardware and personnel. Since everything is done remotely, businesses can use the free space and improve their revenue per square foot by maximising their store layout.
Evidence Collection and Indemnification
Since CCTV systems record everything, they can also be used to collect evidence of fraud, crime, or petty theft.
For example, if a business owner notices a drop in cash collections at the end of the business day, they can check the security footage to make sure that they are not being defrauded by employees or unauthorised personnel. This evidence can then be used to press criminal charges or to confront unscrupulous personnel.
CCTV systems can also keep track of customer activity in and around the business, thereby helping business owners indemnify the brand in case an allegation is raised.
For example, if a customer loses their personal belongings or they want to make sure they got the right amount of change back from the counter, they can inquire about their whereabouts in the store using CCTV footage.
TYPES OF BUSINESS CCTV SYSTEMS
Here are some of the best types of CCTV cameras available for businesses:
Dome CCTV cameras
Dome cameras are one of the most common types of CCTV cameras in the retail world. You might have noticed them as an inverted dome-shaped camera installed on ceilings and walls.
These cameras are encased within a glass casing that secures them from vandalism and makes them an effective deterrent against crime.
Furthermore, from the outside, it can be quite difficult to figure out the exact position of the camera lens, so criminals will naturally have a harder time getting past them.
Bullet CCTV cameras
Bullet CCTV cameras are not just great for home use, but they are also extensively used by high-risk businesses. These cameras have a long cylindrical shape that resembles a bullet (hence the name).
These cameras are rated for harsh environments and can withstand heat, rain, dust, and snow. They have an unmistakable iconic look, which makes them an excellent tool against criminals.
Some bullet camera models are equipped with high-quality lenses which allow them to be used for long-distance monitoring which makes them ideal for parking lots, back and front yards, shopping centres, offices, factories, warehouses, and even commercial farms.
PTZ Cameras
Looking for a more serious form of surveillance with customisation options? Then we recommend that you check out PTZ cameras. Pan Tilt Zoom cameras are the default choice for many businesses since they can be adjusted in any way you want.
The camera is equipped with a motor that can shift the view of the lens in three dimensions. So, you can look up, down, left, and right. The camera can also be rotated 180 to 360 degrees, making it a highly versatile surveillance camera.
Day/Night Cameras
For businesses that are big on aesthetics and have a dark theme for their store, we highly recommend going with a day/night camera. These cameras are not only great for monitoring spaces with low light, but they can also be used for outside spaces.
Day/night cameras are extremely useful for businesses that operate outside of regular business hours, like 24/7 shops. So, even in the dark, your business will always remain secure from theft. In fact, these cameras can also be used in places with intense sun glares!
Wireless CCTV cameras
Wireless CCTV systems are quickly becoming the next big thing in surveillance. While IP cameras have been in the market for decades, they are only now being compared to the more traditional camera of choice: the humble wired CCTV camera system.
The reason for this is that network technology has caught up in the last decade and with the advent of Web 3.0, we are expected to see even greater improvements in connectivity. This means that you can finally view security footage in real-time without video lag.
Wireless cameras work in the same way as any other CCTV system, except that they transmit the video signal over the network. In fact, since the footage is first sent to a server, advanced video algorithms can be applied to the footage to further enhance it.
For example, many Artificial Intelligence capabilities come from post-processing over the cloud. In other words, the footage is scanned for threats using AI and then transmitted over the internet where it can be viewed instantly.
The best part is that thanks to modern technology, the footage can be processed in real time so there is virtually no lag in the video signal. So, you can view the enhanced footage as it happens!
CASE STUDIES SHOWCASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CCTV CAMERAS
Here are some important business case studies that highlight the use and impact of surveillance technology in deterring crime:
Stealing Spree in Peterborough Thwarted with the Help of CCTV
This case study perfectly captures the usefulness of CCTV systems in the retail sector. In this case, a woman was caught shoplifting from a supermarket as well as a clothing store.
Correctly positioned CCTV cameras can not only help deter crime, but they can also be used to collect evidence and bring justice! The stores collectively released all the CCTV footage as evidence against the woman to the relevant authorities who traced the woman’s movements back to her hiding place.
The woman was swiftly arrested and charged with theft. She admitted four counts of theft from a shop and was given a 26-week suspended prison sentence and told to pay more than ÂŁ1,000 to the shops she stole from.
CCTV Footage Reveals Crime in Real Time
In a hilarious turn of events, a news crew was interviewing a shop owner while the shop was coincidentally being robbed by a hooded man in the background.
The man was caught using CCTV footage that was brilliantly placed among the aisles where the man can be seen stealing bottles of liquor. As the theft was being recorded, one of the crew from the news team also noticed the man and turned their camera towards him as well.
The thief began making excuses, urging the shop owner that he was going to pay for the bottles, but upon checking the CCTV footage for evidence, the man was caught casually putting bottles in his jacket.
US Airport Workers Caught on CCTV Stealing Luggage Items
Criminals aren’t always outsiders! Sometimes they can be employees stealing from the business. In this case, US airport workers were caught in the act of stealing luggage items.
The crime was ironically carried out by security staff who were even more ironically captured on a nearby CCTV camera. This case study highlights the importance of monitoring all business activities, not just monitoring customers or the premises in general.
Had it not been for the crisp video footage, several passengers would have been robbed of their belongings – effectively ruining their vacation!
CCTV Footage Used to Catch Car Robber from Afar
This case study highlights the capabilities of modern CCTV cameras that can be used to record crime happening even at long distances.
In this case, a man was caught stealing a ÂŁ39,000 car in a car park. The man was caught a few weeks later when officers recognised him from CCTV images.
As soon as the crime was reported, police launched an investigation for the stolen BMW 4 series that was stolen from level three of the multi-story complex.
Burglar and Thief Caught Using CCTV Footage
This case study shows how CCTV footage can be used by businesses to indemnify themselves and help catch thieves.
In this incident, a beauty salon worker used her self-proclaimed detective skills after her bag was stolen from the shop where she works. She promptly checked the CCTV footage of the store as well as the nearby stores around the business to find the criminal.
By immediately reporting the crime, she was able to share the CCTV footage and capture the thief before they could make their escape.
CONTACT CALDER SECURITY
Calder Security offers a comprehensive solution for CCTV cameras that are state-of-the-art and comply with CCTV laws and regulations.
We understand the special security and safety needs of various properties and offer professional installation services for CCTV systems bespoke to each property.
We are expert SSAIB-approved security system installers and supply only high-quality CCTV equipment from trusted brands such as Hikvision, one of the world’s leading CCTV manufacturers.
We conduct every aspect from surveys, design, specification, and installation ourselves, and our professional repair and maintenance services ensure that the CCTV systems work in optimal condition all year round, guaranteeing effectiveness and compliance with the law.
We also offer professional CCTV monitoring services that help detect criminal activity and security breaches as they are in progress for the appropriate action to be taken, even when the property is empty.
Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 9799 to talk to our security experts right away!
Photo by israel palacio on Unsplash