How many CCTV cameras does a property really need?

CCTVs have been a godsend for home and commercial use for decades. Since its inception in the 1940s, this humble technology has seen an exponential increase in its usage throughout the decades.

CCTVs not only help monitor but also assess risk, which enables law enforcement personnel to act quickly and efficiently to contain threats.

Did you know that the UK is one of the most surveilled countries in the world, with an average Londoner expected to be caught on a security camera over 300 times in a day?

That’s a lot of eyes on you when you are on and about, but what about the security around your property? What is the magic number for CCTV cameras for your commercial or residential property?

Can you get by with just one camera? How about three?

Read on to learn more about how many CCTV cameras your property needs and how you can get the most out of this technology:

TYPICAL CCTV REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPERTIES

Commercial and residential properties have different CCTV layouts because they have various Points of Interest (POIs).

Here is a quick guide for the typical number of CCTV cameras for residential properties in the UK:

Flat or small apartment: 1–2 cameras
Small house: 2–3 cameras
Semi-detached house: 3–4 cameras
Detached house: 4–6 cameras
Large property or estate: 6–10+ cameras (depending on size, POIs, and complexity)

On average, you can expect a UK home to have around 2 to 6 CCTV cameras for excellent coverage.

These cameras are placed to cover various high-risk areas, such as:

Front door or porch (which is the highest burglary entry point in the UK)
Driveway or front garden (coverage involves best practices such as cutting hedges)
Back garden or rear door
Side alley or side access
Garage or outbuilding (only if needed)
Indoor hallway or living area (only if needed)

HOW TO COVER 90% OF YOUR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

If you are planning to install CCTV cameras for your home, then we recommend the following 2-4 camera setup that will provide excellent coverage:

Camera 1 – Front door or porch

This covers one of the highest-risk areas in any home. By covering the porch or main entrance of your home, you can effectively monitor who enters/exits your property at any given time.

Camera 2 – Driveway

If your property has a driveway, then we recommend that you get a wide-angle view camera that covers the driveway up to the exit gate of your property.

Please ensure that you also follow the best practices of installing CCTV cameras on the outside of your property. This includes cutting hedges so that they don’t impede the view and keeping the driveway decluttered and well-lit for nighttime surveillance.

Camera 3 – Back garden or rear door

If your home has a back garden or rear door, then we highly recommend that you follow the same installation practices highlighted for the front door or porch camera.

Any entry or exit point must be monitored because it is usually a high-risk area and a general point of breach for criminals.

Camera 4 – Side access or alley

Side alleys are seldom put under surveillance because many people think that a camera for this area specifically would be a waste. However, you would be surprised by how many criminals would opt to hide in or use the side alley to traverse around your property.

We recommend that you use a night-vision camera to monitor side alleys, but it would also be great if you go for well-placed security lighting for added security.

HOW TO MAXIMISE COVERAGE FOR YOUR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Commercial buildings have a completely different and often complex layout that doesn’t mind redundancies.

Petty and serious theft are on the rise in the UK, especially for commercial properties, which is why many businessowners are going with CCTV layouts that provide maximum coverage.

On average, you can expect a commercial property to have 8–12+ cameras because of more entrances and internal areas to monitor.

Here are some of the places that require CCTV cameras:

All exterior entry and exit points, including emergency exits.
Driveway and parking, especially when the property has multi-level parking.
Back areas, staff areas, office spaces, etc.
Side access to the commercial property.
Any area that deals with precious goods and/or money.
Blind spots around the commercial property.
Interior entry/exit points within the property, including elevator entrances, loading bays, stairway entrances, and more.

The best practices for commercial properties are also different and, in many cases, require training of staff and personnel inside and outside the commercial building.

Professional installers, like Calder Security, work with business owners to provide them with a comprehensive layout that helps them increase the coverage of their property without breaking the bank.

WHEN ARE MORE CAMERAS JUSTIFIED?

For both residential and commercial properties, you may need 6–10+ cameras if the property has:

Large gardens or agricultural land
Multiple entrances or side alleys
Detached garage/workshop
Long driveway or gated entry
Commercial use (shop, office, warehouse)

So, there is no magic number, but there are a few best practices that enable home and commercial property owners to get the most out of their system.

Your best bet would be to always follow the advice of the installer and share your expectations for the system so that they can help you achieve maximum security for your property.

CAN YOU GET BY WITHOUT CCTVs?

In this day and age? Not really!

CCTVs have become part of daily life, and in the coming years, recent trend shows that surveillance will likely increase.

Here is why you shouldn’t skip on CCTV cameras:

Crime deterrence

People behave differently when they know that they are being recorded. This simple fact is what makes CCTV cameras so useful!

Their mere presence forces people to be on their best behaviour, and these cameras are great at detecting deviant behaviour.

CCTV cameras make it nearly impossible to break in without getting noticed, making them one of the most effective burglary deterrents for properties.

Recorded evidence

CCTV footage is useful because it can be reviewed both in real-time and later. It can be used to identify the criminals and increase their chances of getting caught, even if you find out about the robbery at a later date.

Monitoring Occupants

CCTV cameras are one of the best ways to keep an eye out for your customers, visitors, and even family members.

For commercial spaces, CCTVs can help monitor staff behaviour and even provide them with added security. For example, CCTVs in an office space can record deviant behaviour, and the footage can be used to build an employee’s case.

For residential properties, CCTVs can be used to keep an eye out for old or ill family members. CCTV cameras are widely used to keep a check on your family remotely with the help of IP or internet-enabled cameras.

For example, this technology is vital for monitoring little kids and babysitters, as well as pets, making sure they’re not up to any mischief.

CCTV Integration

One of the coolest things about CCTV systems is that modern systems can be integrated with multiple security hardware to provide you with comprehensive security for your property.

CCTV cameras and burglar alarms make a great pair and can effectively double the protection by deterring criminals and recording evidence.

Smart systems can take things up a notch by using the CCTVs as the “eyes” for the main security system for your property. Smart systems use Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms to effectively scan and confirm threats.

These systems can use the data from the CCTV and sensors in the burglar alarms to trigger alarms, lock entry/exits through access control systems, and more.

In fact, integrating CCTVs is one of the best ways to reduce the chances of false alarms for your property. Keep in mind that multiple false alarms can cause your property to be blacklisted, which means that security personnel will not visit your property until you fix the cause of the false alarm(s).

Fulfilling Various Property Needs

CCTVs aren’t just required to maintain security, but they are also useful for maintaining eligibility when it comes to property insurance. Many insurers outline the requirements of the security system depending on the type of property.

For example, home insurers may outline the type, quality, and even number of cameras installed in your property. This not only helps in increasing security but also in helping law enforcement agencies catch threats.

Similarly, commercial property owners also require a specific layout for CCTV cameras. Insurers are stricter for commercial properties due to the higher likelihood of threats that these properties can face.

Increase the Perception of Security

Ever seen how in movies the bad guys always stop in their tracks whenever they see security cameras? Well, that happens because they are afraid of drawing attention, and they would rather just walk away than spend more time in an area that is secured via CCTVs.

These cameras not only increase security but also provide a perception of security. Occupants feel safer in commercial and residential properties when CCTV cameras are around.

For commercial properties, this effect is two-fold because customers expect to be safe when they enter a business. By using the best practices of CCTV installation, brands can improve their image and help customers feel safer.

COSTS INVOLVED

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how much CCTVs would cost for your property. It is important that you not consider this as a “cost” but rather as an investment. The title of this section really should be the “Investment Involved” for CCTV cameras.

As mentioned above, the number of cameras depends on various factors that we have already discussed.

Let’s go through a few typical price tags for CCTV cameras:

Professional CCTV Installation

The only way to get the most out of your CCTV system is if you get it installed professionally. There is truly no other way.

CCTV installation costs depend on:

the type of cameras,
the size of the system,
the camera’s location,
the property type,
and integration with other security systems, such as burglar alarms.

The cost of installing a basic 4-camera wired CCTV system may start from £900, while an 8-camera wired system may cost around £2,000 plus the labour cost for installation.

For a wireless CCTV system, you can expect to pay anywhere between £1,000 and £1,600+.

We highly recommend that you consult with Calder Security for accurate prices since advanced systems can cost substantially more to source and install.

At Calder Security, we give you the most competitive prices in Yorkshire, along with your money’s worth by providing you with state-of-the-art CCTV cameras, qualified security specialist engineers, and SSAIB-approved installers.

Professional CCTV Monitoring

If you want the most out of the security of your property, then we recommend that you go with professional CCTV monitoring.

Remote CCTV monitoring happens with the help of Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs), where professional security personnel keep an eye out for your property 24/7. These monitoring stations are manned by experts trained to take rapid action and respond to any suspicious activity, protecting your property from all kinds of threats.

The cost for CCTV monitoring can be anywhere from around £15 to £40 a month. The cost depends on the complexity of the system, the number of cameras, and more. Commercial properties may have even higher monthly costs compared to home surveillance packages.

Professional CCTV Maintenance

Maintenance is part of the security package. When your system is well-maintained, it will likely be more effective and provide you with better overall security for your property in the long run.

Typically, an annual service check is recommended to survey all the equipment and cables. The maintenance activity also involves cleaning the lenses, cameras and housing, and testing the system to keep your CCTV security system working as it should.

On average, a maintenance visit would cost you around £100–£200. You must regularly service the system yourself, too, by keeping it clean and dust-free. A simple wipe with a clean cloth should suffice!

Professional CCTV Repair

CCTV systems are robust, but they can malfunction for several reasons, such as bad weather conditions, power surges, or general wear and tear.

The key is to get the cameras back up and running so that they continue to provide your property with maximum security. The total charges may vary depending on the nature of the fault, which is why it is best to consult with a professional security company, like Calder Security, for a personalised price sheet.

WHY CHOOSE CALDER SECURITY?

Calder Security offers a comprehensive solution for CCTV cameras, for both residential and commercial properties, that are state-of-the-art and comply with UK laws and regulations.

We offer professional installation and design for every CCTV system bespoke to each property, conducting every aspect from surveys, design and specification, to installation ourselves.

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.

Our team of professionals doesn’t just install the CCTV systems and leaves, but also provides full training on the equipment, making sure you are comfortable with it and know how to use it properly.

Our CCTV monitoring services ensure that your property is being watched over by professional monitoring staff when it is unoccupied or most vulnerable.

We use only Trusted Remote Video Receiving Centres (RVRC) and offer peace of mind that any incident detected would prompt an appropriate response.

During a maintenance service, we undertake a visual assessment of all equipment, check connections and cabling, clean the cameras, lenses and housing, assess playback and recording quality, and test remote signalling (if applicable).

We also offer CCTV maintenance contracts that include a regularly maintained system by professionals, 24-hour coverage, reduced call-out and labour charges, and a reduction in insurance premiums.

If your system fails to record properly, loses clarity of picture, experiences drop out, won’t playback, or faces any other issue, our experienced engineers can diagnose and repair any faults quickly and with minimal disruption.

Photo by Eagan Hsu on Unsplash