Visual monitoring integrity

The reliability of calls made to police on the basis of detector activated CCTV systems is currently in focus and could significantly influence the future of a security systems policy from ACPO, setting out procedural police response to all types of alarms (visual, audio and electrical).

A new code of practice - Code for detector operated RVRCs - the brainchild of Adam Wiseberg of RemGuard through trials held with TNT Security Services, Cougar Monitoring and West Midlands police - is the latest step by the industry to co-operate with police and help lower the rate of false alarms on call-outs to visual alarms. It advocates rules for technical installation and operational procedures for passing on visual alarms to police. Significantly, however, it aims to be a standard which ACPO could use, if necessary, to issue unique reference numbers (URNs).

Now published by the BSIA’s CCTV Section, it is envisaged that the Code will be adopted by the British Standards Institution in due course.

URNs have historically been issued to alarm receiving centres, many of which have converted their premises to include visual monitoring. Apart from these, many of the new dedicated remote CCTV monitoring centres have grown up complying to existing British Standards. Indeed many of the new centres have grown up with more sophisticated equipment and techniques and are able to pass on highly reliable visual information to police.

We don’t think ACPO should be involved in specifying the operational standards for visually verified alarms. It is irrelevant to issue URNs for visually monitored alarms systems. The police do not request this level of compliance from individuals who witness a crime in progress. Nor for that matter, do they specify such a requirement for town centre systems that are passing similar information to the police. Why therefore should they require it from a remote visual monitoring centre?

Alarm notification is a huge numbers problem for the police and ACPO is understandably trying to whittle down the number of false alarms which are passed to police. But this should be the responsibility of the remote monitoring centre.

If the monitoring centre has recorded images of site intrusion, it does not matter whether they possess a URN or not. The police should respond to the call.

The true requirement is for remote monitoring centres to be properly certified and inspected by the National Security Inspectorate.

However, it would appear that the existing alarm companies are driving the new BSIA Code of Practice to maximise their current investment.

Visual verification is a new field, where expertise in TV transmission is required along with good call centre skills to ensure accurate handling of incoming alarms and passage of information to the police.

The newly released British Standard, BS 7958, covers all aspects of CCTV management and operation, and incorporates relevant sections of both BS 7499 and BS 5979.

However, it would now appear that the BSIA CCTV Section, led by existing alarm companies, is asking for a new standard that cuts across the existing British Standard.