Hammersmith and Fulham installs smart CCTV cameras with North to improve safety, reduce street crime
As part of a [£5 million (€5.69 million)] project between London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) Council and North, new CCTV cameras have been installed across the borough.
White City Estate and Shepherds Bush Green districts are the first to benefit from the installation of the cameras which monitor a full 360-view of the area with clearer images achieved through enhanced sensors. Through IoT technology, the cameras will also provide analytics to the council, allowing it to make informed decisions on rerouting traffic, air quality management, improving public spaces to engage with visitors and accessibility.
The multi-sensor cameras will be rolled out across the borough within the four-year contract as North develops a Public Space CCTV network, replacing the existing analogue system that is nearing its end of life.
As part of the next phase of work, the borough, which is in London having three premiership football clubs, will see the new cameras installed within and surrounding the stadiums of Chelsea, Fulham and Queens Park Rangers – giving the police better visibility over the wider area to deter crime on match days.
The new CCTV cameras are part of an extensive upgrade which will reinforce H&F’s commitment to keeping residents safe, with a key focus on women’s safety and reducing the level of street crime. The local authority now boasts 1,869 cameras in public spots, making it the largest network of CCTV cameras within a region in the UK.
The wider project will allow for a stream of precise information to be provided to the council about habits in the city and how improvements can be made in a bid to create a greener and safer region for future generations. Through the deployment of IoT technology across the region, sensors will capture real-time data enabling H&F to monitor and improve elements such as air quality at popular locations, people management within parks to improve access and void properties to prevent against crime and dampness.
Tony Oliver, technical consultant team lead, at North, says “The investment H&F Council is making to enhance CCTV operations underlines its clear commitment to consistently improve the quality of the environment for people who live there. North is incredibly proud to partner with H&F teams to create state-of-the-art Public Space CCTV network will go a long way to improving safety and wellbeing in the region.
“Over recent years, North has significantly bolstered its portfolio of work with local authorities across the UK, demonstrating the power that smart solutions possess to provide data-backed insight on how people interact with towns and cities. This allows decision makers to make more informed choices that benefit communities, local economies and sustainability.”
Councillor Rebecca Harvey, H&F cabinet member for social inclusion and community safety, says “Hammersmith & Fulham is determined to deliver London’s most efficient, effective and forward-thinking CCTV system. It’s part of the proactive steps we’re taking to protect women and girls, reduce crime and make our streets safer for our residents, businesses and visitors.”
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