CCTV Installation

CCTV Installers: In the past decade or so, the United Kingdom has witnessed a widespread adoption of security cameras and CCTV systems. This surge in popularity can be attributed to advancements in technology and the decreasing costs associated with these systems. However, it is important to note that not all CCTV systems provide the same level of security benefits, particularly when the equipment is improperly positioned. To ensure optimal performance and avoid any potential design or installation problems, it is highly recommended to enlist the services of professional CCTV installers. By relying on the expertise of these professionals, individuals can maximize the effectiveness of their security camera systems and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing their surveillance needs are in capable hands.

TYPES OF CCTV SYSTEMS

Analogue CCTV - A conventional CCTV configuration typically involves multiple cameras connected to a stationary recording device. These systems can capture both still images and continuous video, storing them on a local DVR (digital video recorder). Moreover, the DVR can be linked to the internet, allowing for remote monitoring via a computer or smartphone. When necessary, recorded video footage can be transferred to a CD/DVD or USB drive for police examination. Designed to function as an independent CCTV system, these setups operate effectively without relying on an online connection.

Internet Protocol Systems - The connectivity options for these cameras include linking them to a local intranet, a wide area network, or even the internet, facilitating recording and monitoring capabilities. Each camera possesses its unique IP address and connects to a computer system or DVR through a gateway. With IP systems, it is possible to receive video, alarm notifications, and images directly on your smartphone, which adds an additional layer of security by preventing a burglar from tampering with evidence stored on a local DVR. It is crucial to highlight the importance of strong security measures, such as robust passwords, on IP cameras and equipment to prevent unauthorized access to your CCTV recordings.

Cloud Based Systems - Cameras utilise an encrypted server and an internet connection to securely store images and video footage in what is commonly referred to as the "cloud." Whether it's an IP camera connected through a router or an analogue DVR system, as long as your CCTV system can access the internet, it can leverage cloud-based storage. The cost of cloud recording typically involves a yearly or monthly fee, which depends on the storage space needed on servers and whether remote monitoring is required.

LIGHTING FOR CAMERAS

In order to facilitate usage in low-light conditions, modern CCTV cameras often incorporate built-in infrared illumination. During nighttime operation, these infrared CCTV cameras capture black and white images at a slightly lower resolution compared to their daytime footage. If you find that the resolution during nighttime is inadequate for your requirements, you have the option to install specialized security lamps that produce a more natural light source for your cameras. These lamps offer optimal solutions for recording colors in artificial light conditions and can be configured to activate only when motion is detected by your camera.

However, it is important to exercise caution when using traditional security lighting alongside CCTV cameras to avoid causing inconvenience to neighbors or directing lights directly onto roads. Ensuring proper placement and adjustment of the lighting is necessary to strike a balance between effective surveillance and minimising potential disturbances.

CCTV AND THE LAW

Under the Data Protection Act, domestic CCTV cameras that capture footage beyond the boundaries of your property, such as onto the road or into a neighbouring garden, are subject to regulations. It is important to note that the Data Protection Act does not render the use of such CCTV systems illegal. However, it does stipulate that any recorded footage must be protected to prevent potential misuse by individuals who appear in the recordings. Safeguarding measures should be in place to ensure compliance with the Act and protect the privacy and rights of those captured in the footage.

For regulations regarding the monitoring of public areas, including guidelines on signage to inform the general public about the use of CCTV systems, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) can offer valuable guidance. To ensure compliance with legal requirements concerning the placement of cameras and recording in public spaces, it is advisable to engage the services of a certified CCTV installation specialist in the UK. A professional installer will ensure that all necessary legal obligations are met, which may not be fully adhered to in a DIY installation. By relying on an expert, you can have peace of mind knowing that your CCTV system is set up in accordance with legal standards and best practices.

If your property is located in a national park, a place of scientific interest, a conservation area, or if you intend to mount your CCTV system onto a listed building, it is important to consider the potential requirement of planning permission. However, you may be able to avoid seeking planning permission if your camera and lighting system is mounted at a minimum height of 2.5 metres above ground level and does not protrude more than one metre from the wall of your property. Adhering to these guidelines can help ensure compliance with regulations while minimizing the need for planning permission. It is recommended to consult with local authorities or seek professional advice to confirm the specific requirements in your area.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CCTV SYSTEM

Financial budgets should not have to be a determining factor when selecting a suitable CCTV security system for your home or business in the UK, as there are options available to cater to all budgets. Whether you require a basic internal camera to monitor entrances and exits or a comprehensive multi-point IP camera system with motion detection, alarm-linked devices, and high-definition recording, there is a wide range of choices to meet your specific needs. It is advisable to consult a certified CCTV installation company in the UK, as they will assess your individual requirements and suggest a system that is tailored to your circumstances.

A reputable installer in the UK will prioritize ensuring that costs remain within your budget constraints without resorting to shortcuts. Regardless of the amount you spend, you should expect the utmost level of service for any CCTV installation. It is advisable to obtain price quotes from at least three different security companies and ensure that you have a clear understanding of the equipment and services they are offering.

Certain places might require discrete cameras, while others may call for a more noticeable presence in order to act as a deterrent to potential burglars. An expertly installed CCTV security system has been proven by police interviews with ex-burglars to deliver the biggest deterrent to potential intruders.

It may be the case that you have bought an off the shelf CCTV security system and need expert help with the installation process. You don't necessarily need to have bought your CCTV system from your local UK professional security company in order to have them install it for you. Whatever brand and size of CCTV system you may have purchased, they will have the expertise and knowledge to quickly and effectively get it installed and connected.

ACCREDITATION, TRAINING, STANDARDS AND PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Camera equipment that is installed on your UK home needs to conform to British Standards for CCTV, BS EN 62676. The standards highlighted in BS EN 62676 states the performance criteria for the apparatus, and instructions on the best way to site and install the CCTV cameras for best effect. If you have non standard CCTV equipment fitted and it doesn't live up to the levels offered by the company, or your own objectives, you might find you have difficulty in rectifying the situation.

To make sure you are using the services of a reliable CCTV specialist you should always look out for membership or affiliation with an established trade organisation within the field. In the UK the primary security industry trade organisations include:

The Security Institute (SI) - The Security Institute has the largest membership of professional security companies and contractors in the UK. The Security Institute has over three thousand registered members from every area of the security sector and promotes professional competence, best working practices and the highest security standards for all its membership.

The British Security Industry Association - Within Great Britain's security and CCTV industry, the BSIA is one of the highest regarded trade bodies. BSIA members are accredited security contractors and companies who comply with all of the British Standards and ISO 9000 regulations, and observe the industry's Code of Practice.

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) - As an independent UK trade association, the National Security Inspectorate promotes the security and fire safety sector by recommending high quality security companies and CCTV installers in the country. The vetting procedure is strict and includes a company demonstrating their proficiency in the maintenance, installation and design of a wide range of security and fire safety equipment. A business must also prove that they have trained and vetted staff effectively, own suitable equipment and vehicles for their field of expertise, and that their business premises are suitable to promote the security industry in its best light. Members of the NSI are acknowledged across the United Kingdom and the EU by the three emergency services, and by insurance providers, as holding the highest quality of standards within the security and fire industry.

Secure By Design - This government initiative is driven by police forces throughout the country to reduce crime. In order to improve the security of industrial and domestic properties all across the country, Secure by Design work alongside installers, designers and builders.

Models and Makes of Surveillance and CCTV Camera

Okay, so you have made up your mind to go ahead with installing CCTV in your UK home, and the next job is deciding which camera system is best for your house. You'll soon find that there's plenty of choice out there. Some of the most highly rated surveillance cameras in 2022 include: Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Cam, Netatmo Smart Indoor Camera, Ezviz C3W Wi-Fi Security Camera, EufyCam2, Blink (Indoor Cam, Outdoor Cam), D-Link Outdoor Wi-Fi Camera, Logitech Circle View, Ring (Spotlight Cam, Stick Up Cam, Floodlight Cam, Indoor Cam) and Google Nest Cam IQ Outdoor.

CCTV and Data Protection

Your a CCTV system will be covered by the current UK data protection laws if you choose to fit CCTV in your home in the UK and it captures images beyond your property's boundary, such as a public street, an alleyway or a neighbour's garden.

This does not mean that you are actually committing an offence by doing this, but according to the law you're a "data controller", and consequently you must observe the Data Protection Act and satisfy its legal requirements.

You must demonstrate that you are recording such footage in a way that entirely conforms to the data protection laws, and at the same time respects the rights of any person whose movements you're filming.

Basically:

• You must not collect more footage than is necessary to achieve your purpose.
• You should let passers-by and neighbours know that you have a CCTV system in place by using clear signage.
• You should delete pictures of individual people if they request you to do this.
• You should comply with SARs (subject access requests) when within a month of being received.
• You should use the system only for your declared purpose, and not allow others to misuse it.
• You should erase the footage routinely, and only keep necessary.
• You should be able to fully explain your rationale for collecting these pictures if asked.
• You should have a clear reason for capturing these images.
• You should be able to guarantee the security of captured images and keep them away from prying eyes.

Fake/Dummy CCTV Cameras UK

If you can't afford real CCTV cameras or would rather not go to the extent of having a full-blown security system installed, there is always the option of fitting up some dummy CCTV cameras instead. Whether you're a householder or a business owner in the UK you could benefit from having dummy CCTV cameras installed, and needless to say these are significantly cheaper than the real thing. The dummy CCTV cameras which are available to buy today are very realistic, and they are hard to tell from the genuine article for all but the most inexperienced eye.

It is frequently declared that dummy CCTV cameras are only likely to discourage the opportunistic intruder and that professional criminals will never be fooled by a phony camera. Nevertheless, a premises with no cameras at all will be a lot more attractive to a potential burglar, than one that has some degree of security be it genuine or fake. And, when considering the fact that a fair percentage of crimes committed in the UK are indeed opportunistic, the benefits are plain to see.

In UK (or anyplace else in the UK for that matter), the vast majority of criminals prefer easy pickings, and there's a high probability that they will search for an easier target if you can put doubts in their mind about trying to enter your home or business premises.

Available in all shapes and sizes, for both inside and outside use, dummy CCTV cameras can be purchased for for anything from about £6 up to £40 or more for sophisticated models.

Does CCTV Reduce Crime?

"Do CCTV cameras help to stop crime?" Is a question that is frequently asked in relation to home and business security. The answer appears to be - undoubtedly, yes. To find out whether this is the case or not various studies have been carried out in Britain, and they've come up with some intriguing results.

According to research by a leading insurance company who actually talked to former thieves, the 2 situations that are most likely to forestall a burglary are the presence of barking dogs and CCTV cameras. When contemplating a break-in or crime, the key worry for the perpetrator seems to be not attracting attention to themselves.

Further studies reported by the College of Policing suggest that crime can definitely be lessened by the presence of CCTV surveillance cameras in both private and public settings. Based on 41 individual studies, something like 16% of criminal offences were prevented by CCTV cameras on average. The reductions were even greater with regards to vehicle crimes, where a remarkable 23% reduction was recorded. This effect appears to be even more evident when the cameras are actually monitored.

The main issues that mostly put crooks off are:

• The fact that more precautions are being taken by possible victims or crime.
• The actual likelihood of being caught.
• Their awareness of the probability of being caught.
• The encouraged public use of an area.

Will CCTV Lower My Insurance Costs?

This is obviously a fact most homeowners in the UK wish to know, and to be honest "No" is the response in most cases. Certain insurance firms will offer a modest discount if you install CCTV, but generally only in conjunction with a burglar alarm. Even with a burglar alarm, a lot of insurance providers will not give you a reduction unless it is professionally installed and monitored.

The amount of insurance you actually pay is mostly influenced by your postcode, what level of contents insurance you require and the house value. In fact, the rate of crime in your area is the predominant factor with regards to insurance.

You could try looking at it from the insurers point of view, and the fact is that the majority of properties in the UK still don't have CCTV, and the insurance company may question the reason why you're putting one in. This might even be seen as an increased risk by insurers, because perhaps there's been a crime surge in your part of UK, and that is why you're investing in CCTV.

When all is said and done, the real reasons for installing CCTV should be that it increases your sense of security, it provides evidence in case of a break-in and it discourages intruders.

Popular CCTV Brands

• Sannce
• Idis
• Logitech
• Hanwha Techwin
• Yale
• Dahua
• Swann
• Hikvision
• Honeywell
• Axis

CCTV Installation Tasks UK

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CCTV Installation Services UK

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Other Trades in the UK

When you're getting CCTV installed in your home in the UK you might also require the services of various other tradesmen for instance a window fitter in the UK, a CCTV installer in the UK, a security alarm installer in the UK, a carpenter & joiner in the UK, gate installation in the UK, an electrician in the UK, a handyman service in the UK, door installation in the UK, emergency door entry in the UK, fire alarm installation in the UK, sound & visual installation in the UK, a builder in the UK, burglar repairs in the UK, digital home network services in the UK, door opening in the UK, satellite installation in the UK, aerial installation in the UK, and more UK tradesmen.

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