Synectics-based camera system reduces security incidents in the West Midlands

(08/09/2010)

Centro, the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority, promotes and develops public transport across the West Midlands region. Centro’s aims ensure everyone in the West Midlands can benefit from an effective transportation network but also provides it in a safe and secure environment. To help achieve this, Centro operates one of the largest public transport infrastructure CCTV systems in the country, at the heart of which is the latest Synectics control and recording technology.

Centro has invested in a number of initiatives designed to improve and enhance the regional transport structure, one of which - an original CCTV camera network, was first installed in the late 90s. Consisting of 604 cameras covering existing rail station and Park-and-Ride car parks, the camera network is linked via BT fibre to the Centro control room. Here it was originally controlled via an analogue switching and control system and archived via videotape recording technology.

Although appropriate at the time of its installation, the rapid pace of product development in the CCTV industry meant that by 2009 the system had been overtaken by the latest digital control and recording products. Keen to employ the latest technology in their expanding camera network, replacement of the control and recording technology was put out to tender.

In competition with many other major security manufacturers, the supply of Centro’s control and recording equipment was awarded to Synectics, who’s SynergyPro Command and Control system and enterprise-class image archiving technology met and surpassed all requirements for the Centro system.

Centro’s long-term security consultant, Redvers Hocken of Redvers Hocken Associates explains: “When specifying the new system, we were keen to streamline the operator workload as much as possible, to provide the most economical use of each operators’ time in their daily working activities in the control room. In addition to providing intuitive routes to all camera and playback operation, we were particularly interested in streamlining the paper-based reporting system currently employed, into an automated/electronic version. We found that the manual reporting system that was currently in place was not as efficient as the latest electronic systems, this meant operators were becoming tied down with paperwork.

Now employing Synectics SynergyPro Command and Control software, Centro’s management can access accurate and comprehensive reports swiftly, at the click of a mouse. From operator handover notes to comprehensive incident logs, SynergyPro reports ensure Centro can build a comprehensive picture of what incidents occur, where, at what time, how they develop, and how they were dealt with. This guarantees patterns of incidents are spotted quickly, ensuring operators are aware of any potential ‘hot-spots’ of similar incidents occurring within the Centro network.

As well as operational reporting, system fault reports can also be generated. When a fault is noted, the system produces a unique reference number. This, along with details of the fault is then automatically sent directly to Centro’s maintenance contractor for rectification. “In addition to fast fault-finding and rectification, the system provides a fully audited fault and maintenance trail,” continues Redvers.

“Not only can we accurately chart component lifespan and failure rates, the unique reference number generated and tracked by the system assists with the accounting of servicing costs - assuring every charge from each maintenance job can be directly linked to each site and product.

With the control capability of the Synectics-based system, Centro camera numbers have now been extended. The mix of PTZ and static units cover all Park-and-Ride facilities, station car parks (43 in total), bus stations, key bus stops, and bus/train station passenger facilities such as cycle storage, cycle routes and designated ‘Safer Walking Routes’, to-and-from each site. With such a large geographical area of remote sites connected to one control room, ranging from large city-centre rail stations such as Birmingham’s Moor Street and the recently redeveloped Snow Hill, to outlying Park-and-Ride car parks, Centro operators require a wide skill set to identify and track a large variety of incidents.

Incidents can occasionally include robbery and assaults, but statistics have been mainly dominated by car crime and anti-social behaviour – both of which have been significantly reduced since the wider network of cameras were installed. “This really helps to boost customer reassurance, instilling a feeling of security whilst using the transport network,” adds Redvers.

“This is a vital aspect in a customer’s decision to consider the use of public transport, and this is why we have worked hard to provide not only secure stations and stops, but secure car parking, cycle storage and the instigation of the ‘Safer Walking Routes’ scheme. If we can assure that customers feel safe when accessing public transport through the Centro network of facilities, then we are more likely to attract and retain them, to the benefit of the whole public transport infrastructure across the West Midlands area.”

To this end, complementing the CCTV camera system is a comprehensive network of customer Emergency Help-Points, distributed across Centro’s 43 park and ride car parks and major transport interchanges. Originally a separate system, Synectics’ industry acknowledged third-party integration capability afforded the Help-points to be included into the Synectics SynergyPro Command and Control interface in the Centro control room.

“This assures that each operator can answer, asses, and react to emergency calls without leaving the SynergyPro environment – permitting the most economical use of operator time, and that each call is dealt with in the fastest period possible,” adds Redvers. “The ability to flexibly customise the SynergyPro platform to each individual customer and organisation’s needs was a key element for the Centro control room. Our mix of cameras, both analogue and IP from a number of different manufacturers are easily included, allowing Centro to add any camera, from any manufacturer - based purely on its technical merits for the particular application. Additionally, and specially produced for this site, the Help-Points interface not only affords operators one common route to all system functionality, but means any potential expansion of the Help-Points network can be easily included into the network.”

When a Help-Point is activated, SynergyPro automatically locates the nearest camera to the incoming call and instantly positions it to provide a corresponding view of the area and caller. This means operators can answer the call whilst being instantly and automatically presented with a visual overview of the situation – assuring a rapid and effective response, whatever the problem.

Redvers continues: “Calls can range from the reporting of anti-social behaviour, to (in extreme cases) a customer feeling threatened by a potential situation. As you can imagine, each needs to be dealt with in a very different way, and the presentation of crystal-clear imagery to automatically accompany the call is invaluable in providing a calculated and considered response.”

“Since the installation of the wider Synectics-based camera system, reported incidents have been reduced dramatically across the board,” explains Redvers. “Especially in the Centro car parks where incidents have been reduced by an amazing 70% - illustrating the power and value of the investment Centro has made in the technology.”

Related topics:  Automatic Number Plate Recognition ANPR   CCTV cameras and domes   CCTV recording, DVR, VCR, Multiplexers   CCTV system and accessories   Intrusion detection   Monitoring systems   Security guarding 

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