Panasonic’s surveillance system forms the core of the security set-up at Centra Store

Forecourt retailer Casey's Centra Store, part of Centra, a leading convenience retail chain in the Republic of Ireland, has overhauled its security system in favour of Panasonic's IP range at its outlet in Limerick.

Centra made the strategic decision to update its existing CCTV at its store in Limerick to ensure the safety of customers and also to deter thieves, as the gap in the original system's coverage had resulted in criminal and anti-social behaviour escaping observation by security staff as well as increasing numbers of "drive-offs". Using Limerick as a pilot with the intention of a roll-out in the remaining outlets, they wanted to invest in a networked recording system that provided clear and sharp images that would accurately identify number plates and people.

The Panasonic i-Pro system installed consists of twenty WV-NF284 internal fixed dome cameras, ten of which give a general overview of the shop with six specifically viewing tills and the remaining four attaining facial recognition shots on the entrance doors.

Eight WV-NS202 fully functional PTZ cameras, featuring Super Dynamic III technology, are also included in the system, three of which are configured on patrols providing further internal surveillance. Five external WV-NP240 Network IP cameras are then used to give an overview at each petrol pump, backed up by five WV-NS202s, configured to take the registration number of every vehicle at each pump offering the optimum support for monitoring and tracking activity. The camera is able to deal with any subject no matter what lighting difficulties are present, ensuring accurate reproduction of subjects in any area and position on the forecourt.

Terry McShane, Managing Director of Casey's Centra, enthuses: "The Panasonic i-Pro system has exceeded our expectations. We find clarity of images so good that it leaves no doubt on number plate identification and of other incidents throughout the store."

Since the new system was commissioned at the Centra store, detection and tracking of theft and anti-social behaviour has increased dramatically allowing security staff to efficiently deal with incidents before they escalate.