Axis system reduces incidents of crime by half
18 Sep 2014
The
UK’s fifth biggest grocery retailer, The Co-operative Food, has reported a 50
per cent reduction in reported incidents of crime after upgrading its incumbent
analogue video surveillance to a modern, digital IP system.
Axis Communications products were used in the
installation – Atul Rajput, the company’s regional director, northern Europe said:
“It’s clear the CCTV plays a major part in reducing theft. We continually survey
many UK retailers and frequently find that more than 85 per cent of them say CCTV
has led to a direct reduction in theft.
“However, the quality of the footage is vital for a
successful prosecution. We’ve found that nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) of UK
retailers plan to adopt IP surveillance. These systems not only bring
HD-quality images that drastically increase the likelihood of a prosecution,
they also open the door to the use of business intelligence analytics that
significantly increase the return on investment.”
Explaining The Co-operative Food’s drivers for the
project, Atul continued: “We were approached by our partner, Kings Security,
and by The Co-operative Food to help transition the retailer away from a range
of diverse analogue surveillance systems, inherited mainly through a
substantial acquisition programme, to a cohesive, future-proof solution that would
unify the retail estate onto one centralised control platform, and implement a
substantial asset renewal programme.
“A key priority for The Co-operative Food, was that
the new surveillance system must measurably increase the wellbeing of staff and
reduce shrinkage in high-risk stores. The solution also needed to be effective,
but unobtrusive.”
Graham Watt, loss prevention manager at The
Co-operative Food, added: “Our stores trade from 6am to 11pm across very
mixed-demographic locations. Some sites are higher risk than others. We needed
a system that would cope with disparities in each location, could be easily
scaled up or down as necessary, and that would connect the estate on one
integrated platform.”
The final
installation incorporated Axis’ compact fixed dome cameras and high performance
video encoders, controlled by a Milestone Professional operating system, operating
on a Razberi server.
Live
surveillance footage from each store is streamed to a central control room and
monitored by a dedicated operator at Kings Security. With the AXIS P8221 Network
I/O Audio Module, staff can communicate directly with the control room via an
incident button and operators can both listen to and broadcast messages
in-store. Each external camera was fitted with Axis’ unique ‘Lightfinder’
technology, allowing them to deliver clear and precise picture quality – even
in the dead of night.
Steve Evans, commercial director at Kings Security,
said: “We have a 24-hour manned control room, with a dedicated operator
monitoring up to 20 stores. If an incident occurs or a staff member anticipates
that a situation may escalate, they can alert the operator. When locking-up,
colleagues can request that operators survey the area, using the cameras to
scan and identify any potential threats.”
Axis’ camera’s wide angle view allows fewer units to
be used to deliver full coverage of the shop floor and sensitive areas, and
assist store layout changes – for example, during special promotion periods or
sales seasons. Axis cameras have also helped fulfil the retailer’s central aim
of improving the welfare of its staff and shoppers, thanks to the camera’s
discreet and compact design.
“Security should never be
obtrusive,” said Graham. “The system Kings Security and Axis have delivered
provides an effective deterrent for thieves, yet is subtle and effective enough
to ensure that customers and colleagues feel protected, not scrutinised.”
Following the installation,
The Co-operative Food reported a 50 per cent reduction in reported incidents of
crime and a significant reduction in unrecorded loss from attractive
commodities. Following a staff engagement survey, an average 34 per cent increase
in the ‘perception of safety in the workplace’ was reported, as measured
against the previous year. The system has been so successful that it has already
been used to support criminal prosecutions across the estate.
With almost 2,800 local, convenience and
medium-sized stores, The Co-operative Food’s stores range from between 1,000
and 24,000 sq ft. It has food stores in every UK postal area, with over 75,000
employees, serving a total of 14.5 million customers every week.
The Co-operative Food has seen a 50% reduction in crime thanks to the installation of Axis cameras
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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