It’s safe to say that 2023 will be the year we see far greater investment in enhanced CCTV

Originally featured in Professional Security Installer January 2023 Issue 

We have all seen it – a mugshot shared on the news asking ‘have you seen this person’ but the image is fuzzy, hard to make out and it’s not very clear to anyone who it actually is.

Across the UK, many of the Public Space CCTV cameras that are found within our streets are no longer fit for purpose. It’s not just about crime reduction and supporting police with ongoing cases – although that is a big part of it – but it’s also about how we can create greener areas that are built around the needs of residents and communities.

Many of the cameras that are currently installed across the UK work on a manual basis where an operator needs to assess what appears on screen and move the camera in a bid to capture an event occurring. This relies on the operator spotting an event taking place with no lapse in concentration – something we cannot guarantee.

Additionally, most of the CCTV cameras currently in place do not provide operators with any form of intelligence or analytics that can improve the way that communities live and work.

However, with new multi-sensor cameras available, we’re seeing a steady surge in demand for Public Space CCTV transformations across the nation to create more efficient systems that support local areas, allow for better liaison with the police, and create an opportunity to upskill operators removing manual, repetitive processes. This trend is likely to continue into 2023.

The multi-sensor cameras monitor a full 360-view of the area with a clearer image achieved through enhanced sensors and use enhanced built-in AI technology to increase functionality and decrease the total cost of ownership over having multiple cameras and hardware carry out the same operation.

The cameras also provide analytics for both councils and private operators, allowing them to make informed decisions on issues such as rerouting traffic and improving public spaces to engage with visitors and accessibility.

The cameras can integrate with smart city platforms and other technologies, such as footfall monitoring, air quality sensors and intelligent camera analytics to monitor low emissions zones. Likewise, the cameras can detect times of the day when traffic on particular routes is heavy, meaning steps can be taken to allow for diversions, easing traffic flow and reducing carbon emissions.

Previously, CCTV managers would wait until cameras needed to be fixed before upgrading them. However, with so much potential contained within the one unit, and with the day to day running of the older cameras eating up a great deal of energy and repair costs, an increase in system overhauls will likely be on the cards for 2023.