Axis helps business collective cut crime in half
5 Mar 2015
Clacksfirst,
a Business Improvement District (BID) managing ten business parks and
industrial estates across Scotland, has reported a 50 per cent reduction in
crime after the installation of an innovative IP-based Automatic Number Plate
Recognition (ANPR) solution.
Axis Communications and
partner, IP video integration specialists Boston Networks, successfully won a
six-way tender to secure the project, for a proposed ANPR system that would not
only collect number plates but would also identify vehicle models and signage,
as well as identify people inside vehicles and pedestrians entering and leaving
the estates, day or night.
The installation was to
be the first CCTV security measure implemented by the management firm in an
effort to increase safety and deter criminal behaviour. A key priority was to
reduce incidents of theft, which were becoming an issue for the 200+ businesses
based on Clacksfirst’s sites.
Nick Platt-Higgins, key
account manager at Axis Communications, said: “Axis cameras were deployed
around the ten sites with the aim of providing a safe and secure environment
for the businesses to operate and tackle antisocial behaviour like speeding, as
well as crimes, such as metal theft. The Axis solution is three cameras in one;
a superb high quality, high definition image during the day; Lightfinder
technology, if we need it, 24/7; and also at night time, a very crisp
mono-image for the identification of the vehicle, its number plate and the driver.”
The
AXIS P1354 Fixed Network Cameras deployed in Clacksfirst BID are fixed day and
night cameras with superb image quality, delivering excellent H.264 performance
in a robust design. Superior video quality is provided with progressive scan in
multiple individual H.264 streams, as well as motion JPEG streams. While the
P1354 comes supplied with a precision iris lens, this project required a
greater depth of field. To elevate this issue, cameras were configured with a
specialist lens from Axis technology partner, Theia Technologies.
Infrared
lighting was provided by Axis partner, Raytec, for the delivery of sharp images
at night. By using Raytec Vario infrared lighting units, it was possible to
capture high quality images of all vehicle number plates at night. This
configuration also enabled image glare from vehicle lights to be eliminated.
Edge-based video motion detection analytics were used inside the AXIS P1354s to
ensure only scenes with vehicle or pedestrian movement were captured and
recorded. Milestone XProtect® Professional video management software was used
to record, manage and securely distribute video recordings rapidly in case of
incidents.
Paul
Goodbrand, operations director at Boston Networks, said: “Axis Communications
solution was particularly valuable to what we were trying to achieve. The
lighting levels in some areas of the business parks were virtually nil, so the
cameras with Lightfinder technology worked very well for us. Using that and a
combination of infrared illumination allowed us to deliver a solution that the
client wanted - great daytime visibility along with clear night time images.”
Shortly after the new
system went live, it captured an incident where a delivery lorry backed into a
wall at night, causing considerable and costly damage, before leaving the scene
without reporting it to Clacksfirst BID. Images from the surveillance footage
allowed police to quickly identify the registration of the vehicle, the
coloured livery on the lorry and even the driver’s face.
Brian
Gibson, chief inspector of Police Scotland, said: “The new Clacksfirst BID
system is of a high enough quality to deliver reliable and watertight video
evidence in case of security incidents. It ensures that criminals think twice
about committing criminality and, when a crime has occurred, the business park
can simply provide easy access to the police.”
Following
the installation, Clacksfirst BID has seen a 50% reduction in crime across all
business parks in the BID since it began managing them. In addition, the new
system delivered a return on investment (ROI) in under 12-months from going
live. Park business owners and their employees reported feeling more secure,
while metal and machinery theft has been virtually eliminated.
Kevin Deighan, project and community safety
manager at Clacksfirst BID, concluded: “ROI was achieved in such a short
timeframe primarily because the new surveillance system proved to be a highly
effective deterrent to potential criminals. Through implementation of this IP
CCTV system we have moved so much closer to delivering on our five-year
business plan for businesses in the parks and industrial estates which backed
us. It also helps us send a clear and positive message to businesses outside
Clackmannanshire which might be persuaded to relocate into the county as a
result of our improved security record here.”
Axis helps business collective cut crime in half
Axis Communications (UK Ltd)
http://www.axis.com
Email Us
T: 01582 283760
1 Capability Green
LU1 3LU
Luton, Bedfordshire
United Kingdom
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