Video Surveillance In The Kingdom
Author: Nahshon Roberts

A lot of European nations utilize public video surveillance as
a leading tool for monitoring movement and possible terrorist
acts. The United Kingdom is known for relying heavily on video
surveillance in crime prevention efforts. Some studies show that
video surveillance is indeed making an impact in the fight
against crime.

Its Beginnings

Video surveillance in the United Kingdom started n 1986 in an
industrial estate outside the town of King's Lynn. Video
surveillance cameras were installed and their usefulness was
immediately apparent. Before the cameras were put in place,
almost 60 crimes were recorded. Two years after installation,
there were no crimes reported. Needless to say, other town and
cities followed suit.

Soon after that, the government made a large amount of money
available to establish surveillance programs in different areas.
Municipal systems have been operating for over a decade but
there is little formal data to measure actual effectiveness.
However, British government reports assert that these
surveillance systems are in fact, a major reason for declining
crime rates.

A good example is Liverpool which has one of the largest
systems in Great Britain. Shoplifting, prostitution, and
vandalism have decreased by 25 percent. Residents there say they
feel safer, even at night. It also seems that people charged
with crimes plead guilty most of the time when faced with
videotaped evidence of their misdeeds.

Most Britons are aware of these video surveillance systems.
Going shopping, riding a train, buying gas, going to the bank,
attending a soccer match. If someone does any of this, chances
are his image will be recorded on video. This means that
citizens notice the cameras but do not really seem to mind them.
In fact, a surprising number of people support the use of video
surveillance systems. But some people do think that the setup is
Orwellian in nature.

Proof In The Pudding

Supporters emphasize that video surveillance is invaluable in
apprehending criminals. Kidnappings and terrorist bombings have
been prevented with the use of this technology. Arrests were
conducted after video images were broadcast to the public and
citizens responded. Video surveillance is also helping to clean
up the notorious image of English soccer. Fans who had disrupted
games in the past were barred from attending future matches with
the help of surveillance images.

The advantage of the British video surveillance systems is that
nearly all of them are linked to local police stations. If not,
they are monitored by private security guards in a central
location. If a guard notices an illegal act, the image can be
sent to the police monitors so the authorities can react
accordingly.

The United Kingdom has embraced video surveillance as powerful
tool in law enforcement. Civil libertarians may decry their
prevalence but there is no denying that they are effective in
helping the authorities. It is a matter of proper usage of this
technology. As long as they do not infringe on the privacy of
law-abiding citizens, then the police can take full advantage of
their utility in crime prevention.


About The Author: How is video surveillance
(http://www.video-surveillance-guide.com) utilized? Read up on
the latest security cameras
(http://www.video-surveillance-guide.com/surveillance-cameras.htm).
You might also want to take a look at some DVR software
(http://www.video-surveillance-guide.com/dvr-software.htm).