Neighbourhood watched over by ‘community’ CCTV camera

Dubbed ‘Community Safety Watch’, the camera system was designed by Stuart Thompson, managing director of Viseum (UK). He says he intended to make a system for the community, which is owned and managed by them.

“The SafetyWatch camera is a powerful weapon which will help fight crime, street violence and anti-social behaviour, and reduce the level of ‘Big Brother’ CCTV surveillance in everyday lives,” he said.

Thompson said that the Viseum technology is primarily a software package which “studies content from fixed reference cameras, thinks, and reacts by automatically operating moving pan, tilt, zoom cameras to track and record in close-up what it sees as suspicious.

“The resulting high quality video footage has been designed to far exceed Home Office guidelines for identification and would be admissible in court.

“The main advantage over other systems is that the camera is fully automated, completely obviating the need for security staff to monitor screens, and ensuring that the day-to-day privacy of pedestrians, shopkeepers and motorists is not compromised.

“But if criminals do target the area and a crime is reported, the relevant section of video footage will be carefully scrutinised in a bid to catch those responsible.”

CCTV User Group director Peter Fry said the Viseum technology had overcome constraints, such as camera numbers, transmission systems and control facilities, that have proved prohibitive for retailers and smaller neighbourhood watch groups in monitoring smaller shopping or residential areas.