4 Facts you never knew about CCTV
CCTV records activity. CCTV deters criminals, CCTV keep insurance premiums to a minimum. CCTV is one of the most effective security measures in the world.
These are all facts that are widely acknowledged and taken for granted and pretty much anyone you speak to would be able to recount them if pushed.
There are many interesting facts about CCTV, close circuit television, that are much less widely known, however. It is these which make CCTV one of the most versatile security measures anyone can take to protect property and people and why so many companies use CCTV systems from trusthire.
Here are 4 things you might not know about CCTV
CCTV Audio is Not Illegal
There is a common misconception amongst many people that only images can be recorded by a CCTV system and that it is actually against the law to record audio as well.
This isn’t true. Well, it isn’t always true anyway. Audio recording can be done, but it must be justifiable and play a genuinely important role in tackling security threats. The are plenty of exceptions to this rule, however, so make sure to consult with a professional security company before activating a CCTV system with audio recording capabilities.
Location is critical to CCTV success
Simply installing CCTV alone is not enough, you need to install it in the right place. CCTV cameras should be installed well out of reach of those on ground level but still clearly visible and impossible to miss for casual passers by.
3-6m above the ground tends to be the agreed sweet spot for CCTV installation as it is too high so those on the ground to tamper with but still well within eyesight. In terms of location itself, CCTV should be installed in all public areas if possible, with particular attention on key areas such as entrances and exits and warehouses where your most valuable assets are stored.
Signs are a must
Any commercial CCTV operator is required to inform people nearby that CCTV is in operation through the installation of warning signs. You might be concerned that this will cause criminals to plan more carefully and be more covert when attempting to get inside your site but this isn’t the movies. IN reality, the more visible your security is the less likely it is that a criminal will try and target you and a sign informing passers by about your surveillance cameras can prevent many incidents from happening in the first place.
CCTV footage can be used in insurance claims
CCTV footage showing exactly what happened, and when, can help to settle insurance claims far faster than would otherwise be the case. With video footage in hand there can be no dispute over events.
CCTV is not only for security
CCTV is highly flexible and can be used for a wide variety of different purposes. Tracking activity when you can’t be on site yourself, finding out when deliveries arrive, identifying who is entering and leaving the site, these are all things that CCTV can do, among many more.
