OpenView Security Solutions has completed an upgrade to Torbay Council’s public space surveillance system and installed over 120 of the latest HD wireless digital cameras connected through a new town centre wireless network. This is now enabling Torbay Council to improve public safety, reduce crime and help find vulnerable missing people.
Torbay Council’s £420,000 project to upgrade the public space CCTV network was funded by Torbay Council with an additional £60,000 contribution from Alison Hernandez, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
“CCTV has proved its worth time and time again in terms of deterring crime and convicting criminals, but it can do so much more than that,” commented Hernandez. “Across Devon and Cornwall we have all too many cases of high risk missing people, with 11,114 people reported missing in the year to March 2019. High quality CCTV is a vital tool in the armoury when it comes to finding these vulnerable individuals. It also helps to protect frontline police officers and compliments the roll-out of body worn video.”
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As well installing 120 new IndigoVision digital HD cameras in town centre and multi-story car park locations, OpenView equipped the CCTV control room with a new IndigoVision Control Center video management suite. This provides Torbay Council with detailed images for the majority of the public CCTV network. This was installed during quieter periods to minimise service disruption. The Control Room has radio links to police, retailers and other partners such as street pastors, to enable a fully supportive system.
OpenView also installed a new wireless IP network comprising high capacity, point-to-point links from Siklu and InfiNet to deliver interference-free connectivity across the Torquay, Paignton and Brixham areas. As well as providing fibre-like performance and low latency, the new IP network is future-proofed and provides sufficient bandwidth to easily add more cameras to further extend network coverage.
“The new wireless CCTV infrastructure will enable us to achieve significant revenue savings by eliminating the need for expensive leased fibre lines. These savings will be offset against the capital repayment costs making the investment for the council cost neutral,” added Cllr Steve Darling. “In addition, the new digital system captures the highest quality images. I have spoken with the two inspectors responsible for neighbourhood policing in Torbay and they were delighted at the improved standard of picture that the new digital CCTV system has generated and felt this would have a significant impact in tackling crime on our streets.”
Chief Superintendent Keith Perkin, Devon and Cornwall Police commander of the South Devon area, added: “This will support our efforts in reducing crime, keeping people safer and bringing to justice those who are intent on breaking the law. Too often, many escape justice because of the quality of the images captured on CCTV. The new technology will undoubtedly help us in our investigations, leading to more people being put before the courts.”
