A Glasgow bus company has turned to IP video surveillance in a bid to reduce vandalism such as graffiti and broken windows on its fleet of 1040 buses. It will also deter employees who had been tempted to dip into cash vaults and fuel supplies or steal from lost property.

First Glasgow approached Gardiner Security with its problem, and Gardiner introduced the company to one of its Network Video Integration Partners, which installed Milestone Xprotect Enterprise surveillance software to operate a mix of Axis 2120 network cameras and Panasonic PTZ analogue cameras. These were converted to digital by Axis 2400 video servers, all running over Cisco Local Area Networks in multiple locations.

The IP surveillance system covers physical perimeters, entrances, exits and offices. It monitors fuelling stations, de-vaulting stations (where dedicated staff replace bus cash boxes nightly for collection and counting), the downloading of 'sign-on' memory sticks from modules in the bus ticket machine – with route price tables, ticket sales and passenger tallies– and also lost property, which is stored at the depots waiting for claims.

Alan Pert, security manager at First Glasgow, said the company has a lot of people moving in and out of its depots. "Public safety is a main focus, and this includes the surveillance of the depots," he said.

"One driver was keeping the vault open bringing it in from the bus, and pocketing about £1500 a week. Others were taking £20-£30 a night. Now we've got that covered by surveillance, which can give the evidence to dismiss such people, and exonerate the honest employees."

First Glasgow is part of the First Group, the largest surface transport company in the UK, which has put the same type of system in at its Parkhead, Scotstoun and Larkfield depots, with more locations planned for future implementations. Edinburgh has also expressed interest in the IP approach. Part of the surveillance project includes updating all of the depots to Cisco LANs.

"We are better off standardising on the same technology and software," said Andy Buchanan, regional IS manager for First Group in Scotland. "The real advantage of this system is that it's scalable. You can put in one PC server and a few cameras, then add new ones quickly and easily. It's flexible, too, so you can change cameras or move them to a new location."

  • West Yorkshire-based covert and overt observation systems specialist Vetatech has designed, built and installed a surveillance product in bus shelters around the UK, helping to reduce antisocial behaviour such as vandalism and graffiti.

Following a pilot scheme with Metro, West Yorkshire, Vetatech has secured contracts worth over £450,000 with Lancashire County Council and Dundee City council to install a digital CCTV system called OESheltercam.

Source

Security Installer