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Good Morning;
Do you have a CCTV system installed at your home or business premises? If so, this message is for you. Do your cameras look like the camera in this image? While CCTV is no substitute for good physical security measures such as secure doors, windows and gates, it can be an important tool in preventing and detecting crime.
If you have a CCTV system, when was the last time you checked it was working properly?
Take a few minutes to review your footage to ensure the system is recording correctly, the lenses are clean, and the cameras remain correctly aligned and in focus. Remember to check footage during daylight, when the sun is low, and at night, as nearby streetlights and building lights can significantly affect image quality.
As autumn gives way to winter, many of us will be spending time over the coming weeks tidying our gardens and outdoor spaces preparing our homes and businesses for the colder, darker months.
This can also be a great opportunity to give your CCTV system a quick check up!
Take a few minutes to inspect your system and ensure it continues to perform at its best. Doing this also keeps you familiar with how to operate the system and to remember the all-important passwords, settings and playback functions. It may be worthwhile exporting a short video clip as to confirm the export function is working correctly and that you remain confident using it.
As part of the Neighbourhood Policing Team, we are often asked to review CCTV footage following reports of crime. To maximise the chances of identifying an offender, the footage needs to be clear and provide the best possible ideally front-on facial image. When positioning cameras, consider whether they are capable of capturing good-quality facial images in all lighting conditions. Ask yourself; Would you be able to recognise and identify someone from this footage and crucially be able to explain to a court Why your recognise the person?
We frequently find that cameras mounted high on soffits, rooflines or upper walls do not provide useful images for identification purposes. Footage can also be obscured by cobwebs, dirty lenses, poor focus, vegetation growth, or cameras that have become damaged or degraded over time. Remember at night, image quality can be affected by streetlights, security lighting and other bright light sources and reflections within the frame.
Hopefully, we will never need to view your footage. However, if we do, a few minutes of maintenance and preparation today could make all the difference.
You can find more Crime Reduction Advice and Guidance on the GMP Website here -→ Crime prevention advice | Greater Manchester Police
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