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| Bosch CCTV IP network installed in Runnymede to help combat crime |
In Runnymede, UK, a district located a few miles West of London; the most extensive CCTV network in the county of Surrey is helping to combat crime. The number of burglaries and incidents of auto theft, damage and personal attacks have been significantly reduced in recent months thanks to comprehensive CCTV coverage and 24-7 monitoring. At the heart of the council's new system is Bosch digital technology including:
- a mixture of more than 200 analogue and IP cameras with numerous sites linked over broadband:
-VIPX-1600 codecs were installed to cost-efficiently encode video from more than 160 existing analogue cameras so that video could be recorded digitally
-Recordings from these cameras are now available digitally, so that the council can benefit from fast access to archived video.
- a new Video Recording Manager (VRM) to provide advanced, centralized management of video over internet protocol (VoIP) with distributed storage to enhance reliability and performance
At the heart of the new recording system is the Bosch Video Recording Manager. VRM manages data virtually, automatically allocating video to iSCSI-based servers and eliminating the need for dedicated storage systems. Providing almost instantaneous retrieval of recorded video, the new recording system is a major improvement on the old system with multiple videotapes, which took a long time to review.
Working with IP CCTV specialist Controlware Communications Systems, installation partners Central Security Systems (CSS) Ltd and software manufacturers Meyertech, the integrated CCTV solution helps reduce the threat of crime and improves safety, enabling residents and visitors to feel more secure.
During a recent visit, His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester saw the new CCTV solution and state-of-the-art control room. The control room is a complex multi-function room, which, in addition to CCTV monitoring, deals with Care-line calls and is a fully equipped alarm-receiving centre. Community Safety Manager for Runnymede Borough Council, David Dodd, said, "CCTV is an important weapon to help combat crime and the fear of crime. This important project provides advanced IP video management, control and recording of CCTV from cameras situated around the Borough."
More features, less cost 
VIPX-1600 codecs were installed to cost-efficiently encode video from more than 160 existing analog cameras
Chris Lazzari, managing director of CSS Ltd, who installed and maintains the security network, said: "The new solution provides improved functionality for the council and enables them to expand their network and storage requirements easily. Best of all, by using the (Bosch) codecs we have installed, the council saves money by retaining their investment in their existing analogue cameras."
The video from more than 200 cameras is recorded constantly and stored for 31 days on 11 Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) Redundant Array of Independent Disk (RAID) servers.
"Today operators can view both live CCTV and recorded video side-by-side at the same time," explains Dodd. "Operators can therefore quickly review incidents while tracking suspects in real-time and this is a powerful tool which is already producing improved results."
General manager of Controlware Communications UK Matt Caine said: "The new solution is cost-efficient and delivers greater flexibility, but perhaps more importantly the council benefits from a system that enables operators to improve the way they work thanks to fast access to stored video data."
