Burnely FC nets state-of-the-art security system at Turf Moor Stadium
6 May 2015
Axis
Communications, the global market leader in network video, and partner Thorne
Access & Security, have helped Burnley Football Club to upgrade its
in-ground security systems, transitioning it from an outdated analogue
configuration to hybrid IP and CCTV HDTV quality set up.
Burnley Football Club,
established in 1882, is one of the oldest football clubs in the world and is
set in the heart of the old mill town of Burnley in Lancashire. The stadium,
Turf Moor, has a capacity of 21,500 and enjoys average gates of over 19,000,
with up to 4,000 of these being allocated to away supporters on match days.
With the team’s promotion to the Barclays Premier League, a multi-million pound
facilities and IT upgrade was specified, which included funds for the upgrade
of the ageing analogue-based CCTV system. Following a tender process the
contract for installation and management of the new video surveillance system
was handed to Axis partner, Thorne Access & Security in early July 2014.
Thorne Access &
Security specified a hybrid IP and CCTV system using Axis network cameras and
Mirasys hybrid NVR system. The new in-ground safety system focused on
tightening security in two core areas – at the entry turnstiles and inside the
‘bowl’ of the stadium itself. A combination of AXIS Q6045-E PTZ Dome Cameras
and AXIS Q1765-LE Network Cameras were deployed inside the stadium bowl, while
14 legacy analogue cameras were retained to cover concourses in the new hybrid
CCTV and IP video system. A total of 64 new cameras were installed covering the
stadium, turnstiles, and concourses outside the bowl and behind the East Stand.
The new system also provided total coverage of all 40 turnstiles through which
thousands of fans pass through on match days.
Atul Rajput, regional
director, northern Europe at Axis Communications said: “This installation has
been a fantastic project for Axis and a wonderful opportunity for us to
demonstrate what our technology is capable of in potentially risky, public
environments. Axis cameras were chosen for this installation because of their
ability to deliver razor-sharp images using 18x optical zoom capability. This
is very important when you are siting cameras at opposite ends of a pitch over
120 metres away! Even at those distances, our cameras can provide evidential
quality images to positively identify individuals and help the club’s ground
safety team spot issues before they escalate.”
The use of pyrotechnics
inside football club stadia has been a dangerous new trend in UK grounds over
the last 12-months. The new Axis cameras enable operators to spot unusual
behaviours, such as looking down to light a firework or smoke bomb and enables
the grounds safety team to clearly identify who ignited it. The same is true of
people throwing objects onto the pitch, towards players or linesmen.
Doug Metcalfe, stadium
& operations manager at Burnley Football Club, said: “The new Axis IP Video
system gives our ground safety team, working in concert with Lancashire
Constabulary, the ability to remove wrongdoers from the crowd before they
endanger other football fans or commit public order offences. The police have
already been able to secure several convictions based on positive
identification of individuals committing acts that placed others in danger.
Thankfully, these occurrences are rare and the deterrent effect of the new
system will make them rarer still here at Turf Moor.”
Cameras trained on each
turnstile capture images of fans passing through the gates, while a new
electronic ticketing system identifies ticket types. Those thought to be using
the wrong ticket can then be tracked and positively identified via the new
cameras. This additional layer of surveillance has reduced ticket fraud
significantly with adults trying to enter the ground with concession or child
tickets easily identified and stopped.
In conjunction with
Axis cameras, the new system employs a Mirasys hybrid NVR, operating on three
10TB capacity servers, to record, manage and enable rapid distribution of
video recordings in case of incidents. Mirasys Spotter and Media Exporter
software are used to recover and export relevant recorded images to DVD if the
police need to take further action to prosecute an individual. A total of 3TB
of video data is collected by the system each match day.
Commenting on the partnership with Axis, Hadrian
Thorne, managing director of Thorne Access & Security, added, “Put simply,
Axis gives us the peace of mind that we will be able to meet all our stadia
customers’ requirements.”
Burnely FC nets state-of-the-art security system at Turf Moor Stadium
Axis Communications (UK Ltd)
Website
Email Us
T: 01582 283760
1 Capability Green
LU1 3LU
Luton, Bedfordshire
United Kingdom
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