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CCTV Installation, Repairs and Maintenance

CCTV Installation UK: In recent years, the UK has seen a significant increase in the prevalence of CCTV systems and security cameras, a trend largely attributed to continuous advancements in technology and the decreasing costs associated with these systems. These surveillance tools are now more accessible to a wider audience, providing an essential layer of security for various properties. However, it is crucial to recognise that a CCTV system that has been poorly designed and incorrectly installed may not deliver the security enhancements desired. The efficacy of these systems hinges on proper design and installation, which are vital for ensuring that they function optimally and meet the specific security requirements of an individual or business. Without attention to these details, the potential security benefits of CCTV technology might not be fully realized, underscoring the importance of professional consultation and installation for effective surveillance coverage. To avoid any design or installment problems and get the best from any security system it is advisable to use fully trained CCTV installers.

TYPES OF CCTV SYSTEMS

Analogue Equipment - Analogue equipment offers the flexibility to incorporate multiple cameras for comprehensive monitoring of both indoor and outdoor spaces on your property. These cameras can capture continuous video streams or still images, storing them on a nearby Digital Video Recorder (DVR). Moreover, the DVR can be configured to establish an internet connection, allowing remote monitoring via tablets or smartphones. To facilitate the identification of individuals or objects and aid in criminal investigations, the recorded images and videos can be transferred to a CD/DVD or USB memory stick. It's important to note that internet connectivity is an optional feature, as these CCTV systems are designed to function as standalone setups when required.

IP Cameras - IP cameras establish connections through wireless intranet or internet connections to transmit their footage. Each camera possesses a unique IP address, facilitating its linkage to a computer system or DVR. The key advantage of IP cameras lies in their ability to store images and video remotely, including on your smartphone, ensuring that any pertinent video data remains secure and cannot be deleted on-site by potential intruders. It is essential to emphasize the importance of robust security features, including strong passwords, on IP equipment and cameras to prevent unauthorized access to your CCTV recordings.

Cloud Systems - These CCTV cameras are capable of recording to remote storage, commonly known as "cloud" storage. Whether they are IP or analogue systems, as long as they have a web connection, they can upload their footage to a cloud-based storage facility. Opting for cloud storage typically involves a regular payment, either monthly or annually, and the cost is generally dependent on the volume of data you wish to store. Additionally, the choice of cloud storage may be influenced by whether you desire your UK home to be monitored by a CCTV company. This modern approach to data storage offers both flexibility and scalability, allowing homeowners to adjust their storage needs as required while ensuring their property's security is maintained.

LIGHTING FOR CAMERAS

Modern CCTV cameras often come with built-in infrared lights for dark conditions. Infrared cameras capture black and white images but will still provide similar resolution to that recorded in normal daytime light. It is possible, if you find your night vision resolution doesn't meet your expectations, to fit specialist security lamps that yield a more natural light source for your CCTV cameras. These provide you with the most effective chance of capturing colours under artificial lighting, and can also be configured to only turn on if the camera picks up movement.

Be cautious if you are using security lighting with CCTV cameras, so you don't irritate neighbours or shine lights directly onto a road.

CCTV AND THE LAW

Residential CCTV cameras that record footage over the boundary of your property, onto the main street or into a neighbouring garden, now come under the Data Protection Act. This doesn't mean you are not allowed to use your CCTV system or record activity on your property, however it does mean that any footage must be protected according to the regulations.

If your CCTV system is able to record even a small view of a public area, the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) has particular requirements on signage and data protection. You can guarantee all legal obligations are met by employing a professional CCTV installation specialist in the UK for the installment of your CCTV system.

Planning permission for CCTV cameras placed externally to your property will need to be checked if you live in a conservation area, you're in a place of scientific interest, you're putting them on a listed building or you live in a national park. Planning permission for most other properties in the UK won't be required if they are positioned more than 2.5 metres above ground level and they don't protrude more than 1 metre from your exterior wall.

PICKING THE BEST CCTV SYSTEM

Financial budgets shouldn't have to be a deciding factor when it comes to picking the perfect CCTV camera system for your home or business in the UK and there are options out there to suit everybody. From a straightforward inside camera to record entry and exit, to a multi-point IP camera system, with motion detecting alarm linked equipment and HD recording. A genuine and certified CCTV installer in the UK will only install equipment you need to fit your situation.

A trustworthy UK installer should also do everything possible to make sure that costs are kept within your budget constraints, without making any shortcuts. It doesn't matter how much money you shell out on your CCTV equipment, a trustworthy installation company in the UK will take pride in providing the highest level of service. Always get estimates from at least 3 different installers and make sure that you understand fully the equipment and service they're providing.

Certain areas might need hidden cameras, whilst others may need a more noticeable presence as a deterrent to intruders. Remember that interviews conducted with ex-burglars by police and insurance companies demonstrate that expertly installed CCTV is the top deterrent in making a would be thief think about a less protected house.

It might be the case that you have acquired an out of the box CCTV security system and need expert help with the installation process. Any local UK alarm and security installation company will still fit your CCTV equipment, even if you did not buy it directly from them. They'll be familiar and trained with all manufacturers of CCTV cameras and will offer a specialist service to fit and setup your new system.

STANDARDS, TRAINING, ACCREDITATION AND PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

When selecting CCTV equipment for your UK property always look out for the British Standard (BS EN 62676) mark. This British Standard kitemark specifies how effectively a CCTV system is supposed to perform and offers instructions on its installment to security specialists. CCTV equipment can be fitted that doesn't have the British Standards mark, but the reliability and quality won't have been analyzed and you may not have any recourse after installation if it does not meet up with your high expectations.

The security industry is highly regulated and any certified CCTV installation company should have membership of a trade body, or be affiliated to at least one trusted security association. The UK's principal security industry trade organisations include:

Secure By Design - This government backed SBD initiative is led by police forces across Great Britain for the reduction of crime. Its objectives are to strengthen the physical security of all buildings by working together with security installers, designers and construction firms.

The Security Institute (SI) - The Security Institute is a respected and recognised body within the security sector, and hence has the largest membership of professional technicians and contractors in Great Britain. With more than 3,000 members, the SI guarantees its certified members will provide the highest security standards by using best working practices and following Codes of Conduct at every stage of maintenance, planning and installation.

The National Security Inspectorate - The National Security Inspectorate is an independent UK trade body that promotes the security and fire safety industry by providing recognition for high quality companies. The vetting process is exacting and includes a company showcasing their proficiency in the planning, maintenance and installation of a wide array of security and fire safety equipment. A security must also substantiate they have trained and vetted employees properly, have suitable vehicles and equipment in their field of expertise, and that their business premises are suitable to promote the security industry in a good light. NSI members are acknowledged across the UK by the 3 emergency services, and insurance companies, as upholding the highest standards within the security and fire industry.

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) - Within the British CCTV and security industry, the BSIA (British Security Industry Association) is one of the most highly respected trade organisations. Signed up BSIA members are trustworthy security contractors and companies who comply with all of the British Standards and ISO 9000 regulations, and follow the industry's Code of Practice.

Home CCTV UK, CCTV UK, CCTV Cameras UK, CCTV Systems UK

CCTV and the Law

Your a CCTV system will be bound by the UK data protection laws if you choose to fit CCTV in your UK home and it records footage beyond your property's boundary, such as a neighbour's garden, a footpath or a main road.

If your CCTV system is capturing such images, it does not mean that you are actually breaking the law, however under the Data Protection Act you are seen as a "data controller", and must abide by your legal obligations in this matter.

You have to show that you are filming such pictures in a manner that fully complies with the data protection laws, and simultaneously recognises the legal rights of anyone whose movements or activities you're capturing.

If you've got CCTV cameras that are capturing footage outside the boundaries of your property:

You must regularly erase any unnecessary footage, and only keep it for as long as it's needed.
You must erase images of individual people if they ask you to do this.
You must be able to fully explain your reasons for recording these pictures when asked.
You should always respond to SARs (subject access requests) within a month.
You must keep safe and protect the security of any captured pictures.
You should only capture necessary footage, and never more than is genuinely required.
You must be able to give a specific and justifiable reason for wanting to film such footage.
You should only use the system for your declared purpose, and not allow others to use it improperly.
You should let neighbours and passers-by know that you've got a CCTV system in place through clear signage.

(Tags: CCTV UK - Legislation, Domestic CCTV UK - Regulations, CCTV UK - Data Protection, CCTV UK - The Law).

CCTV UK - Dome Cameras

When you are looking into purchasing a CCTV camera either for a commercial premises in the UK or for home security, you'll have to figure out which sort of camera you prefer. One potential style that you could give some thought to is the dome camera. Dome cameras are one of the most popular styles of CCTV camera available on the market today, and they have a genuine edge over other forms of CCTV camera in that they can be either ceiling or wall mounted. Usually mounted in out-of-reach places, dome cameras are rarely spotted once set up and can film activities in an area without much concern about being put out of action or vandalised.

When you're a manager or business owner, and you run a restaurant, a small shop or a convenience store in the UK, then you will certainly be concerned about security measures for your premises. You can get some help with this from dome cameras. As theft by employees is not uncommon in the UK, or anywhere else for that matter, you might like to keep an eye on your employees along with your customers, and dome cameras are a good choice for this role.

Since dome cameras usually have tinted glass, it is extremely hard for observers to discern in which direction the camera is aiming, which improves their effectiveness. This of course adds a degree uncertainty for anybody thinking of causing mischief or stealing, and if there is something that perpetrators loathe, it is uncertainty.

It is clear that a dome camera can be effective for both stopping criminal action and documenting them as evidence which can be used in a prosecution, and can be a valuable security measure for your property or business in the UK. (Tags: Dome Camera UK, CCTV Dome UK, Dome Cameras UK, Dome Camera Systems UK).

Can CCTV Lower the Cost of my Home Insurance?

We're regularly asked about this, and the answer we most often give is "No". A modest discount may be offered by certain insurance firms, where CCTV is installed, but normally only when it is being used in conjunction with an intruder alarm or more sophisticated security system. Even in the case of an intruder alarm, a lot of insurance providers will not give you a discount unless the alarm is professionally installed.

Essentially, the house value, your postcode (where you live) and what level of contents insurance you need, are the key details that influence the amount of insurance you pay. Actually, the overriding consideration is the rate of crime in your area.

You could try looking at it from their standpoint, and the fact is that most properties in the UK still don't have CCTV cameras, and the insurance company may be wondering why you are installing one. This may even be viewed as an increased risk by your insurance company, because perhaps there's been a crime surge in your part of UK, and that is why you're considering CCTV.

At the end of the day, the most important reasons for CCTV installation ought to be that it provides evidence in the event of a break-in, it discourages burglars and it boosts your sense of security.

Does CCTV Reduce Crime?

A popular question which is often asked in relation to home security is "Do CCTV cameras help to prevent crime?" Most people in the know would say yes, they certainly do. To discover whether this is the case a number of research studies have been done in the United Kingdom, and they have produced some illuminating results.

The two things most likely to forestall a burglary are barking dogs and the presence of CCTV cameras, based on research carried out by a reputable insurance provider who literally spoke to former criminals. It seems that the key issue or concern when contemplating a crime is to avoid any break-in which is liable to attract attention to the offender.

Further studies cited by the College of Policing suggest that crime can indeed be lowered by the existence of CCTV surveillance cameras in both public and private settings. The statistics given were based on 41 individual studies, and an average of 16% of crimes were prevented by CCTV cameras. And, even more impressive were the figures for vehicle related crime where approximately 23% of misdemeanours were prevented. When the cameras in question are actively monitored, this impact seems to be even more prominent.

Offenders are predominantly put off by:

The increased use of a protected area by the public.
The perception that their likelihood of being caught and arrested is increased.
The fact that possible crime victims are taking additional precautions.
The actual risk of being caught.

Dummy CCTV Cameras UK

If you cannot really afford proper CCTV cameras or would rather not go to the lengths of having a comprehensive security system installed, there is still the option of putting in some dummy CCTV cameras instead. Whether you're a home or business owner in the UK you could benefit from having fake/dummy CCTV cameras installed, and of course these are considerably cheaper than the genuine article. To the untrained eye, the fake cameras that can be purchased today are quite realistic, and it is actually quite difficult to tell the difference between these and the genuine products.

We are often told that an experienced career criminal will rarely be fooled by a fake camera and that only the opportunistic intruder will be put off by this type of deterrent. Nonetheless, a dummy CCTV camera is a lot better than no camera at all, and will unquestionably make your premises less attractive than an entirely unshielded one. Hence, such devices can provide some benefits, as a sizable proportion of criminal offenses in the UK are indeed opportunist.

Most criminals in the UK, or anywhere else in the UK, are looking for a property that is easy to break into, and if you can make them think twice about targeting your home or premises, there is a good chance that they'll look elsewhere for easier pickings.

Dummy CCTV cameras can be found in all sizes and styles and range in price from around £6 to £30 or £40 or more for sophisticated versions. They are also available for use both internally and externally. (Tags: Dummy CCTV UK, Imitation CCTV UK, Dummy CCTV Cameras UK, Fake CCTV UK).

Makes and Models of CCTV and Surveillance Camera

There is lots of choice if you have decided that you would like to install CCTV on your home or business premises in the UK, and there are a wide variety of CCTV and security cameras out there right now. In 2020 some of the top rated CCTV cameras included: Google Nest Cam IQ Outdoor, EufyCam2, Blink (Indoor Cam, Outdoor Cam), Netatmo Smart Indoor Camera, Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Cam, Logitech Circle View, D-Link Outdoor Wi-Fi Camera, Ring (Spotlight Cam, Floodlight Cam, Indoor Cam, Stick Up Cam) and Ezviz C3W Wi-Fi Security Camera.

CCTV Installation Tasks UK

There is a range of work that can be carried out by your local CCTV installer in the UK including home CCTV installation, access control system installations, door entry system installation in the UK, networked CCTV systems, wireless surveillance systems, CCTV repair services, police response CCTV system installation UK, home security packages, the installation of CCTV systems in the UK, infra red CCTV camera installation UK, vandal-proof CCTV systems, thermal imaging cameras, CCTV camera installations in the UK, industrial CCTV installation, remote access CCTV system installations, thermographic CCTV systems, CCTV site surveys, outdoor CCTV system installation in the UK, smartphone CCTV installation, CCTV maintenance, security alarm installations, CCTV kits, CCTV installation, CCTV indoor cameras, tamper-proof CCTV system installation, and more.