cctv4u Blog

There have been many debates recently as to the legality of having CCTV security cameras in public areas or workplaces. Opponents of CCTV systems are most concerned about the loss of civil liberties as well as the negative impacts of surveillance of peoples’ privacy. Opponents of CCTV have also claimed that, rather than lessening crime, CCTV just displaces crime by encouraging criminal behaviour to move to locations out of its observational reach.

The development of using security camera systems on housing estates has also raised some serious issues. Civil Liberties groups and concerned citizens are questioning the extent to which CCTV is being used more as a tool for social control instead of an effective deterrent to crime.

Many authorities, local businesses and private citizens believe that CCTV is an indispensible tool which is essential for safeguarding the general public. Supporters justify CCTV by stating “if you’re doing nothing wrong then you’ve nothing to fear”. If you have a business establishment in a local shopping precinct and have doubts or concerns regarding security, then CCTV will mean more to your peace of mind than the civil liberties of the vandals who keep damaging your shop premises.

Similarly, an estate resident who is concerned about the safety of their home and family will be more interested in using CCTV to stamp out anti-social behaviour and less interested about any lack of privacy which may result from its use.

CCTV, whether you agree with it or not, will be watching you some time to come.

Crime and anti-social behaviour in Britain is now more of a concern than ever, and protecting your family and belongings has become increasingly more important. People were once able to leave their front doors unlocked but sadly, the times we now live in require us to lock our doors and develop a more robust attitude to security.

Although the threat of crime is the main reason to purchase CCTV systems, people are now acquiring home security cameras for other purposes. Some people use CCTV to help monitor their pets while they are away, while others use security cameras to make sure their kids behave themselves in their absence. Whatever your reason for considering CCTV security cameras, rest assured that there is a solution available to match your budget.

The cost of your new home CCTV security camera system will vary greatly on the features you may require. State-of-the-art systems which include Digital Video Recorder (DVR) units and spy cameras will cost a lot more than a system using standard cameras or basic webcams.

The typical starting cost for the most basic home CCTV systems can be about £300. Naturally, you can help lower the costs if you are adept enough to install it yourself. While £300 will get you a decent but basic security system, around £1,500 will get you a comprehensive CCTV system with multiple cameras that can be placed anywhere at your residence, inside and out. Whether basic or comprehensive, home CCTV systems will ensure increased peace of mind.

So, you are thinking of installing CCTV security cameras at your home. There are generally two types of cameras you can get which work well in a residence; standard cameras and spy cameras. You may find that there are some variations of cameras which overlap the two categories, typically when cost is not an issue. The expense of the CCTV is relative to the technology, so smaller, more discreet cameras will cost much more than large, obvious cameras that are clearly visible.

Standard cameras come in a range of shapes and sizes and can be used indoors as well as outdoors. These cameras are placed in highly visible places to act as a deterrent to those who may want to break into or damage your residence. Sometimes, standard CCTV cameras can also be used to watch potentially dangerous areas to supervise vulnerable family members, such as children as they play in a swimming pool.

Spy cameras are very versatile and are designed to be inconspicuous and not draw attention to their presence. Home spy cameras are typically modified common household objects such as a soft toys, ornaments or clocks. People may purchase spy cameras as a back up for their standard CCTV systems, to capture the burglar who thought he had evaded the more obvious standard CCTV security cameras. Spy cameras are also more frequently being used to provide peace of mind for everyday situations faced by absent homeowners, such as ensuring responsible party guests and ethical babysitters.

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) has been around for some time now; as surveillance in airports, municipal buildings, hospitals, and residences. It is also used to observe processes in places like industrial or manufacturing plants, where the environment may not be suitable for people. In fact, everywhere that security and safety may be considered an issue, security camera systems will likely be found. Unlike human beings, CCTV cameras need no sleep and are ever-vigilant, making them a reassuring presence as well as an effective deterrent.

The increasing use of CCTV, especially in the UK, has triggered many debates about the need for security versus peoples’ right to privacy. While many feel that CCTV effectively deters crime and encourages a safer environment, others believe that private citizens being observed without their consent is an invasion of their right to privacy.

Times have changed considerably over the last 50 years, and attitudes have had to change with them. Today, British society is faced with many potential hazards, and it is natural to want to prevent them. This has given rise to an increase of surveillance in all areas, be it private property, city streets or work premises. Installing CCTV security cameras at a residence or business premises is now common practice. We work hard all our lives to create a safe, family home or build a successful business, so we want to safeguard our loved ones and belongings in the best way possible. Security camera systems are an ideal solution for dealing with such problems.

Ignoring the blaring red light on the traffic post is found to be the major causes of crashes and accidental killings during the rush hour traffic. The red light security cameras have come as a very useful tool for thwarting the tendency of poor drivers to ignore the red sign.

The red light security cameras installed at major intersections has helped in bringing down red light running to a large extent. These security cameras automatically take the photographs of vehicles that drive past the intersection after the light turns red. Sensors embedded in the cross walks are activated when the vehicles violate the red light, and cameras mounted on the poles capture the picture of the vehicle along with the date, time and its speed. Citations are then mailed to the driver to pay a fine or sign an affidavit indicating that they were not driving at that time.

This system, which has been extensively tried out in many parts of the world, has yielded very good results and has helped in bringing down the rate of red light runners considerably. However, there are some arguments against the system as well, as some people argue that this is leading to rear-end collisions as many drivers stop abruptly at the signals. It is argued that some authorities are using this as a money-making device.

If implemented correctly, this security system can go a long way to increase the security on the roads. To know more, our friendly team at CCTV4U are experts at dealing with queries about CCTV equipment.

Video analytics is one of the emerging technologies in the field of CCTV surveillance. When ordinary CCTV cameras themselves created a revolution in the security industry, the introduction of video analytics gave an all together new dimension to security surveillance. Rather than just capturing and recording the images, video analytics is capable of detecting, analysing, tracking and categorising the behaviour of people as well as vehicles. When earlier officials had to rummage through infinitly useless footage before finding any relevant ones during investigations, video analytics has made the task much easier.

Another advantage of video analytics is that the system continuously monitors all the images captured by the CCTV cameras, and alerts the operators only upon finding any objects of interest. Any suspicious behaviour or anything out of the ordinary immediately alerts the operators, helping them intervene before any damage is done. This is especially helpful for health and safety applications, detection of perimeter violation, people counting and for number plate recognition, and helps immensely in cutting down the cost of monitoring in the long run.

Options are galore when it comes to buying these gadgets, but it is getting to the right choice that is often the hard part. So, if you are thinking of getting a security camera system for your property, and are contemplating the video analytic option, please feel free to go through our online catalogue. You can also contact our team of experts at CCTV4U who can guide you through the process of choosing the right CCTV equipment for your specific situation.

The days of ‘hit-and-run’ are about to come to a screeching halt. With ANPR CCTV camera network (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) in action, the roads will no longer provide safe transit to anyone trying to evade the law. The extensive ANPR network in the UK has helped in tracking down many vehicles and criminals in real time by discerning the number plates from the digital images captured.

ANPR cameras are not to be mistaken for the speed cameras or the like. These are a kind of video cameras that can read the licence plate of your vehicle, and match it with the records in a database. Nobody can now flee from a crime scene or drive around hassle-free with any outstanding car insurance bills or unpaid parking tickets, for these cameras are capable of tracking the vehicles instantly when the vehicles pass by these covert CCTV cameras.

Most of the regular CCTV cameras across the country have been converted to number plate reading enabled types over the course of the past few years. They could be waiting for the offenders in the form of the ordinary pole-mounted CCTV cameras, or as covert cameras panning from an unmarked police van or roadside posts. Besides the use by police and council authorities these cameras are even finding use for surveillance at compound entrances and for gate and barrier use by private parties and business people.

At CCTV4U we have a wide array of the latest in CCTV systems and equipments. For those who are in need of any information or help, our friendly team will be always ready to help.

Many a time, when we leave our children with some youthful babysitter, we aren’t left with much option but to assume that the babysitter is taking their responsibility very seriously. No matter how well they might be looking after our little ones, as parents, our minds aren’t really at peace until we come home and see the children safe and smiling.

Covert CCTV cameras and security cameras have therefore come as a tool of reassurance, to keep constant watch on our children even while we are away from home. As parents, most of us would go to any extent to ensure that our children are in safe hands. However, nothing could be more unpleasant than having to question an innocent person or raise allegations, based on some passing suspicion or false alarm. When we feel something is amiss in the way they are taking care of the little ones, we might end up causing strained relations with a caring babysitter, for no reason at all – if we don’t now what is happening.

By keeping a watch on what is going on when we are not at home, through the discreet eyes of a covert camera and CCTV equipment, we can be at peace wherever we are that our kids are fine and having fun. At CCTV 4U, we are only too happy to keep you equipped with the latest CCTV equipment to help you keep your loved ones as safe as possible. CCTV cameras can enable you to have a great evening of relaxation.

Many a time, it happens that you know there is dishonesty going on and you know for sure who is involved, but you can’t point your finger at the person because of a lack of concrete evidence.

Obviously, the next thing you could do is make sure you keep an eye on the person directly or have security cameras installed to keep track of his or her activities continually. Though most of the time this would be enough to deter the person, the downside is if you are sure that the person is involved in dishonest activity and are just looking for incriminating evidence, placing security cameras with their knowledge could end up by putting them on their guard.

When they know they are being watched, they would naturally play safe for a while and could come up with some other plan safely out of sight of the watching eye of the security cameras. Under such circumstances, the wisest option to catch the person red handed would be to go for covert CCTV security cameras. By engaging in covert monitoring you might just be able to catch the perpetrator unaware right in the act!

If you have caught wind of some dubious business going on in your office or business, covert CCTV security cameras are one option to consider. To know more about the practicalities of installing covert cameras or other effective CCTV systems, please don’t hesitate to contact us at CCTV 4U.