Overview of some CCTV Surveillance Applications 

The examples illustrated below demonstrates how CCTV surveillance systems may be able to improve your bottom line profits by reducing theft, poor productivity, vandalism and the time spent seeking to reduce general nuisance or identifying those responsible for it.

Leisure and Recreation Applications

The main benefit reported by many leisure and sport complexes, holiday sites, clubs and pubs is the high level of customer perception that the location has above average security. As the public becomes increasingly more sensitive to personal safety the more important it is for the business operator to offer reassurances that his premises are safe.  

 Vacation Applications

As we are sure you are aware, security is increasingly becoming an important factor to those who are considering holiday home ownership. Attracting one or two additional owner-occupiers as a result of installing CCTV will often pay for the system. The added benefit for the home owner is a constant record of holiday home condition. Damage caused by a tenant can be identified without contention and repair costs correctly allocated.

Vehicle Monitoring

A camera mounted at an entrance will enable you to monitor and record all vehicles, with their number-plates, twenty-four hours a day. This is used at a number of locations to deter armed robbery and undesirables from entering as well as monitoring your own vehicles. A new development is the monitoring of your own vehicles  whilst they go about their deliveries and collections. Data is downloaded on return to the respective depot - allowing activity to be observed. This monitors stock handling, fuel theft, vehicle management etc

Car Parks

Car theft is growing at an alarming speed. Although sites are not generally liable for visitor's cars - a disgruntled guest may not feel like returning in the future if he feels his car may be damaged or stolen again - particularly if he feels his person is also at risk. Car guards offer a variable component of security that leaves many vehicle owners less than satisfied. A camera system that will cover your car park 365 days a year at a fraction of the cost of employing a foot patrol. Accurate data can be collected on any organised theft and circulated - reducing theft incidence and leading the authorities and your own security team to restricting undesirables access to your visitors vehicles.

Vending and Gaming Applications 

Gaming, vending and cigarette machines can be a frequent target for the criminal element. These can be adequately protected by the use of CCTV. 

Reception Areas, Bars, Restaurants, Fast Food Outlets

As receptionists are open to anything from abuse to armed attack, installed cameras give a clear view of everyone standing at the counter. This not only gives a visual record of people as they arrive on site but also acts as a deterrent to criminal or abusive behaviour. An astute business operator would also use the recordings to observe the performance and behaviour of his front line service staff. Also see the section below on staff fraud.

Cash Collection Points

A camera placed within the cash room can deter armed attack or unauthorised staff entry, while a camera outside the cash room can give the staff inside a view not only of who is opposite the door (as does a peephole) but also anyone else in the general area. The camera record will also observe the activity of cashiers using drop safes to ensure that cash is being recorded and deposited accurately.

Retail

This is increasingly an area for consideration, especially as most trade magazines estimate retail shrinkage to be in the region of 2-3½% of turnover (This may translate to 20+% of profits). See section What every retailer needs to know! This is particularly useful if used in conjunction with floor security and an operator driven, high speed dome with variable zoom lens.

Swimming Pools

Systems can be used to detect unauthorised visitors entering the site and using the pool or to make sure that recreational assistants are doing their job and not simply congregating at a single point for a chat. Cameras can also be used on your behalf to ensure that health and safety policy is adhered to in areas that cannot be directly observed.

Staff Theft and Fraud

Cellars and kitchens can be covered to deter and detect any staff theft. It is a sad fact that up to 60% - 80% of shrinkage from retail premises is now believed to be staff related. In certain conditions the cctv system can be linked to till points so that actual transactions can be observed, interrogated later, correlated against stock holdings etc. This often identifies activity such as sweet hearting, voids, no sales, returns/refunds, x/z reads - all too often practiced by an unscrupulous till operator.

Historic and Public Sites

These sites are often open to vandalism and public nuisance. They are open to the public, often loosely monitored and expensive to repair. CCTV can be used to identify miscreants, allow observation over a number of sites by a single operator - who can be linked to a response system to intercede in misbehaviour if necessary. 

Hospitals

Theft and inadequate patient care is an increasing risk to hospitals and clinics. CCTV surveillance can be used to identify and remove those who are practicing inappropriate behaviour.