Keeping a close eye
Published: 25 May, 2010
Keeping track of stock loss and threats to security are top priorities for shopping centres. And new technology is making it easier than ever to stay on top of things
Shopping centres, department stores and large retail outlets are under constant pressure to upgrade their CCTV systems to minimize or prevent the impact of crime. With such a large concentration of high end goods in one place, it’s hardly surprising that shopping centres are targets. But thanks to rapidly developing technology, CCTV systems are becoming more efficient year on year. Topshop’s Oxford Street flagship outlet, one of the world’s largest fashion stores, has recently upgraded its CCTV cameras and video surveillance system following a multi-million pound refurbishment and extension.
ADT was chosen to carry out the upgrade, which included installing additional cameras on the extended fifth floor as well as building a new control room with 16 monitors allowing surveillance across the entire store from a single control point. The video system has a flexible IP network infrastructure, so it can be expanded to handle camera signals from other locations to enable remote surveillance.
Graeme Sharp, Topshop’s loss prevention manager says: “Our flagship store is a major attraction for a large proportion of the 600,000 shoppers who visit Oxford Street on a weekly basis. Clearly we have to ensure that our premises are always safe and secure – not only to protect our staff and customers, but also our bottom line profit.
“The upgraded system specified by ADT in partnership with us is going to make the job of our loss prevention and security team both easier and more effective. Redesign of the camera system will allow much easier tracking of suspects through the store, which will further increase arrest rates and act as a deterrent to potential shoplifters and other offenders. The addition of static cameras above every till point will be an invaluable tool to detect and prevent internal fraud, and has already led to several prosecutions.”
The flexibility of a remote system is paramount in larger retail destinations. In a technological leap, a new app has been created by CCTV provider Mirasys, allowing remote access to video surveillance footage from an iPhone or iPad.
The Spotter application, which can be used with a Mirasys video management system, allows authorised security staff and centre management to monitor CCTV footage while roaming. It aims to improve efficiency by allowing CCTV operators a more flexible working method: they can view the footage whilst walking around the centre or from somewhere else entirely.
“It can be viewed from anywhere in the world on a 3G or wireless network,” explains Iain Cameron, managing director of Mirasys UK. Not only CCTV operators, but managers can also use Spotter to check up on their centre. “It’s ideal for people who want an overview of what’s going on but can’t necessarily be on the floor all day,” Cameron adds.
Spotter for iPhone takes advantage of the touch screen user interface of the mobile device, and brings real-time and recorded video images from Mirasys’ recorders to the phone’s screen. Users receive email alerts to notify them of security incidents, which can be triggered by any number of things from fire alarms to motion sensors.
Spotter is also the first remote monitoring application made for the iPad. It supports the same user-friendly functions as the iPhone app, but takes advantage of the larger screen size and higher resolution. Consequently, this is the first mobile video surveillance presentation tool with enough performance functions for daily professional use. “The iPhone is great but small – the iPad works perfectly,” Cameron says. “Staff can easily move around the building with it, and you get the same amount of detail on the screen as you would from a monitor. If a security guard is alerted to an incident around a corner, they can check what’s happening first before walking round to intervene. Obviously this improves their safety as well as their efficiency.”
The Spotter family will grow steadily as Mirasys plans to introduce several new mobile client and additional applications over the course of the next year.
