5 Reasons why dummy CCTV cameras are bad for your business
Example of two dummy CCTV cameras.
You may not know it, but a lot of CCTV cameras are simply not in use. The fact is that dummy CCTV cameras are bad for your business and some only act as a deterrence or even decoration. This may seem like a good idea but when you delve deeper the negatives outweigh the positives. The idea of using just a superficial appearance of something watching you to control behaviour is nothing new and dates back centuries. However, when you have a fully functional alternative security option doesn’t it make sense to use that facility to its fullest potential? Well, last summer London’s Westminster council tried to save money turning off their CCTV cameras. Two years on, the council are under pressure to reenable 65 CCTV cameras they deactivated by the London mayor at a likely far higher cost. The reason, Dummy cameras don’t provide a cost-effective solution.
Imagine the consequences it could have for your business if you have a non-functioning or dummy CCTV camera ‘guarding’ your premises. Then criminals got hold of this information? You can only imagine how quickly they would exploit it for their personal gain. So why does a business owner even consider using dummy cameras? The idea is foolish, we can tell you why.
Here are 5 things you need to know about Dummy Cameras
1) They don’t fool criminals
Despite what you may think professional criminals are not always stupid. They know the business and they learn from experience. They get to know if cameras are working or not and the smarter ones probably test them. The only person you are fooling by using dummy cameras is yourself. Missing wires? Flashing Red lights? The signs are very obvious to some and they will exploit that.
Example of a fake power LED.
2) They stand out
Especially if you use a dummy camera next to the real fully functioning equipment. You should also watch where they are placed too. A static dummy camera directed in a pointless direction makes it clear that the camera is serving no real security purpose, making it obvious to anyone who pays attention. Dummy security cameras also use static lights as opposed to intermittent power LED’s located out of sight which can make them easily identifiable.
All CCTV cameras require the ability to both transfer data and receive power, a dummy CCTV camera without the correct wiring running to an internal location in the building is a sure sign it’s a fake. Even with fake cabling, when cut no alert would be sent to the control centre like with a real system, providing a potential criminal the ability to stay on site if they wished without any response from guards or police.
Mast of remote operated CCTV Camera
3) False sense of security
The installation of a false camera can effectively harm someone in the local community. All CCTV cameras are used as part of a larger community orientated network. Innocent people passing by your business may be the victim of often disastrous crime. What if your camera was the only means to help them get justice? What if a person at your business relies on the camera to protect them if they become a victim of crime? How can they rely on your (lack of) recorded evidence? All these issues impair your duty as a responsible employer and generally as a socially responsible citizen. In conclusion, should your CCTV cameras be only for display purposes it’s important to inform your employees so that they don’t rely on recorded evidence further down the road.
4) No Damage Mitigation
Effective CCTV cameras form part of a wider security network for your business, not only preventing crime but reducing the impact should it occur. Ensuring cameras are connected to a 24/7 control centre means an unbroken chain of communication all the way down to the guards or police response should an incident occur. This response is what reduces potential damage caused to your business. A dummy CCTV camera not only fails to provide any evidence, but also the ability for damage control.
5) Don’t be cheap
Real CCTV cameras really aren’t that expensive. You can protect your entire business premises with a CCTV camera system for as little as £69 a week. The cost spent protecting your business is always less than the potential damage which caused be caused, especially when insurance issues and company downtime are factored in.
Veritech have over two decades of experience and we like to consider ourselves the friendly, security professionals that care, protecting your business as if it was our own. If you have any more queries on the matter then please call us at our main office on 02380 000400 or locate our nearest office to you.
The Role of Private Security Firms in the eyes of the Police
With police cuts being made country wide, it is as important as ever for companies and home owners to be on their A-game with security.
There are a number of benefits that come with using a CCTV system at your business, or even your home. CCTV systems have a broad variety of uses that go beyond simply being used to monitor the exterior or interior of a property. Veritech, a Southampton security company, details the main benefits of using CCTV.
Deter Criminals
One of the most recognised benefits of CCTV is its ability to deter criminals. A criminal that spots a CCTV camera is less likely to take the risk and burgle your premises. One security company has noted that criminals are typically disorganised and will consider CCTV to be an indication that a property is not fit to intrude.
Peace of Mind
One of the most important, but often overlooked advantages of CCTV is its potential for peace of mind. As so many modern cameras turn to wireless, you can check in on your property from your mobile phone. This allows you to get on with your life, knowing that you can check in at a moment’s notice and that your property is safe in the hands of your security company.
Insurance Rates
Insurance companies are more likely to reduce property insurance costs for owners that take proper steps in protecting their property. Your insurance company will note that you’ve installed CCTV and may reduce your premiums as a result. Additionally, if your property is broken into, CCTV gives you that all important evidence you need to support your insurance claim. This makes your insurance company far more likely to reimburse you for any losses.
Contact your security company for more information about CCTV
If you’re worried about the security of your business premises, contact your security company today. At Veritech, we’re always happy to hear from you and will conduct a full site survey to ensure that your place of operations is adequately secure.
If you’re a business that’s looking to deter criminals away from your property, you may be tempted to opt for a dummy security camera. Dummy cameras look great on paper; they look reasonably convincing and can be housed in an authentic CCTV casing. However, this leading Southampton security company is here to tell you why you should never opt for a fake version of the real thing.
Not realistic enough
Unfortunately, criminals typically know what to look for. Your more hardened criminals will be aware of which cameras actually work and won’t be stopped by a fake. Ask any security company – they’ll tell you that most criminals have years of experience in trying not to get caught. This means that they’ve done their homework.
No Proof
Installing a dummy CCTV camera assumes that criminals will be deterred by its very presence. Unfortunately, for more desperate law-breakers, this is unlikely. Once your property has been breeched, you’ll have no way of finding out who the perpetrators are. Furthermore, if word gets around that your cameras are fake, there’s absolutely nothing to stop criminals from breaking in. No security company will advise installing dummy cameras instead of CCTV.
Cost Saving?
Ultimately, once you weigh up the relatively minor savings accrued by not using real CCTV cameras versus the amount that can be lost if your business premises are broken into and your valuables are lost, you will see that the savings aren’t worth it. Contact your security company today to find out more about proper CCTV solutions that won’t break the bank but will leave you protected in case of a burglary.
Legal ramifications
While relatively unlikely, the use of dummy cameras can have ramifications for you rather than the criminals you were trying to deter. There have been a number of cases in which the business owner has been sued for using dummy cameras, as people within the property were led to believe that they were real.
Contact your security company for more information about CCTV cameras
At Veritech, we’re a security company that’s always willing to tell you the facts. If you would like any more information about CCTV, or would like a free site survey, please get in touch today!
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As a security company in Southampton, we’re always keeping an eye on the statistics available when it comes to our security solutions. So this week, we decided to take a look at the statistics surrounding CCTV systems and the ways that they’re used in Southampton and across the UK in general.
The UK is the most surveilled country in the world
Beginning in the 1980s, the British government launched an initiative to increase the amount of CCTV surveillance across the country. The result is that now there are 1.85 million CCTV cameras operating across the UK (this figure takes into account privately operated cameras owned by a security company, as well as those owned by the government). Naturally, London is one of the places with the highest levels of surveillance (in the UK and world in general!), and the average Londoner is caught on CCTV more than 300 times a day.
The number of privately owned (security company) CCTV cameras surpasses those owned by the police
The number of CCTV cameras owned either by citizens or by a private security company outweighs the number of cameras owned by the police by a ratio of around 7:1. CCTV from a private security company is largely rented or bought by a private citizen to deter criminals from trespassing on private property. Private property includes homes and businesses.
Find out more about CCTV in Southampton!
Public spending on CCTV has decreased
Due to government cuts, we are currently seeing a decrease in public spending on CCTV cameras in the UK. Between 1999 and 2012, the number of cameras installed in public places by local authorities increased from 21,000 to over 51,000. More recently, much less public money has been spent on maintaining and installing security cameras. This doesn’t mean that CCTV is falling out of favour; rather it means that cameras from a private security company are more commonly being bought or rented by members of the public.
CCTV technology is always improving
In 2018, we’re seeing huge technological leaps on a nearly day-to-day basis. If people in the 1980s could see the work that’s being done with CCTV cameras now, it would be mind-blowing. Newer technology such as HD cameras and wireless cameras are continuing to change the ways in which we use CCTV. We’re now making much more use of technology such as cloud storage to collect big data and provide real-time footage. There’s no doubt that we’re on the cusp of the next exciting technical innovation for CCTV.
CCTV does prevent crime
CCTV isn’t just used as a way to catch criminals in the act. Rather, it’s used by both the police and by a security company to deter criminals from entering a property altogether. Criminals, naturally, are less likely to commit a crime if they believe that there’s a high risk of them getting caught. Adding CCTV to a property means that most criminals will be far less likely to take the risk.
If you’re worried about the security of your property, get in touch today. At Veritech, we’re dedicated to providing top of the range security solutions to keep your business safe from criminal activity.
When you’re looking for a security company in Southampton, you might wonder what services you will be offered. At Veritech, we have a range of services to suit the needs of any business. In this blog, we’ll take a look at some of the range of security solutions our security company in Southampton has to offer.
Manned Guarding
Your security company will be able to offer manned guarding. At Veritech, we provide human guards and dog handlers to protect your construction site or business premises. These guards provide hourly security inspections and perimeter security inspections. The human presence means that criminals will be deterred from breaking into your property.
CCTV & Alarm Systems from your Security Company
CCTV security systems are an ideal way to deter criminals from entering your premises. Placing your CCTV cameras in plain sight means that most criminals are likely to avoid breaking into your property. More tenacious criminals that choose to break in or vandalise your property regardless, will be faced with concrete evidence in the form of video footage, should you choose to prosecute. CCTV works especially well when coupled with alarm systems. We offer silent alarms that, when triggered, do not alert the criminals, but do alert your security company and the police.
Access Control
A valuable resource that your security company should offer is access control. We install our high-tech access control systems, and maintain them regularly to ensure that they are working at their best. This ensures that only those that you want to access your property will be able to enter.
Your security company will take care of your Vacant Property
Vacant properties can act as a magnet for criminals of all kinds. This means that by the time that you wish to use the property again, it’s been vandalised or items have been taken. Vacant property security from Veritech includes the boarding of windows, nightly guards patrols and CCTV security to ensure that your property is in great condition when you need to use it again.
Why Choose Veritech for your Security Company?
At Veritech, we offer all of these security solutions, and more. We also offer key holding services, maritime security, mobile patrols and a free site survey. For more information about our security solutions, get in touch.
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There are numerous benefits to securing your business’ property with a CCTV system. Due to the rise in crime, CCTV is essential for keeping your business protected from thieves, vandals and intruders. So what are the benefits of a CCTV system?
Deter Crime with a CCTV Security System
The presence of a camera acts as a powerful deterrent against would-be criminals. This is because most criminals are cowardly and are not willing to face the consequences of their actions, so they do not want their face captured on camera. Placing warnings about CCTV surveillance and placing your cameras so that they’re in plain sight is a good way to deter criminals from entering your premises.
Reduce Insurance
A building with a CCTV security system is, naturally, more secure than a building without one. This means that insurance companies are likely to charge you less, as you are less likely to make a claim. In addition to a more secure business space, you will save money each month on your premiums.
Evidence from your CCTV Security System
But what if your building is broken into? A CCTV security system can help with that too. CCTV footage provides concrete evidence placing the intruders on your property and committing a crime. If your building falls victim to a crime, you can rest assured that the perpetrators will be prosecuted for their crimes.
Safety and Morale
Keeping your employees safe is important, and a CCTV security system can do just that. CCTV is an effective way of assuring that everyone on your property is safe at all times. Surveillance ensures that your staff are protected from hostility from criminals and even other employees.
Contact Veritech for a CCTV System
For more information about our CCTV systems or any of our other security solutions, get in touch today!
Southampton Vacant Property Security
Unfortunately, Southampton has its fair share of criminals. Theft and vandalism are rife in the area, and these can be major setbacks for a business. Securing your vacant property in Southampton is vital to ensure that you’re protected against break-ins, vandalism and theft. Find out more about securing your vacant property in Southampton.
Securing windows and doors
At Veritech we offer a number of solutions for securing your vacant property in Southampton. Windows and doors can be boarded up with chipboard and ply to prevent potential thieves from smashing a window and getting into the premises. We also offer galvanised steel, which is naturally much stronger than chipboard and ply and offers a much stronger security solution.
Find out more about vacant property security solutions!
CCTV security for your vacant property in Southampton
Investing in CCTV for your vacant property is an ideal way to keep track of people trying to access your building. With wireless CCTV technology, you can check on your vacant property in Southampton from anywhere in the world, just using your phone. If the CCTV system is coupled with an alarm, any unwanted guests will likely be deterred. For the more tenacious criminal who breaks in regardless, the CCTV footage will act as evidence if you decide to prosecute.
Nightly mobile patrols for your vacant property in Southampton
A human presence is one of the most effective deterrents for would-be criminals. Mobile patrols can patrol parts of your vacant property in Southampton that CCTV cameras can’t see. In addition to this, mobile patrol guards are experts in diffusing situations before they have a chance to escalate. This means that they’ll be able to keep your building safe from intruders and save you time and money.
Get in touch with us for security solutions for your vacant property
For a free site survey or more information about security solutions for your vacant property, get in touch today!
Halloween is a fun and spooky time of year, but it’s also a time of increased criminal activity. At this time of year, it’s vital to ensure that your home or place of business is adequately protected. Keep reading to find out more about home security on Halloween.
CCTV as home security on Halloween
Investing in a CCTV system around Halloween will help to deter any criminals all year round. A lot of the time, the very presence of a CCTV system will be enough to prevent would-be burglars or vandals from entering your property. For the more intrepid burglar who decides to break in anyway, CCTV footage will be valuable evidence if you choose to prosecute.
Find out more about CCTV security!
Secure all doors and windows
Ensure that all doors and windows are properly locked. This is a vital part of home security on Halloween. If you live in an area where there’s a heavy flow of trick or treaters, ensure you lock the door after each visit. If you have run out of sweets or don’t intend to give anything to trick or treaters, turning the lights off and locking the doors should be enough to keep them from knocking.
Keep the lights on
However, keeping the lights on sends a clear message to any would-be intruders – someone is home. For added home security on Halloween, ensure that the doors are locked and the landing light is on. This indicates that someone is home and that you’re not welcome to come inside.
Sit outside to greet trick or treaters
While the October weather can be cold, another option is to sit outside to greet trick or treaters. This prevents someone (i.e. not a child) from knocking on your door and then barging into your house. It also prevents people from looking through your windows to take an inventory of your valuables or lingering longer than they need to on your porch.
Report anything suspicious
Ultimately, the most important aspect of home security on Halloween is to report anything suspicious. If you’re feeling unsafe, contact the police. For more info about keeping your home secure and safe on Halloween, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Have a happy and safe Halloween!
Contact us about home security on Halloween!
There are a number of reasons to use wireless CCTV cameras over their wired cousins. Crime is always on the increase, so it’s up to your business to ensure that your surveillance system is up to the task of deterring criminals or catching them in the act. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of installing wireless CCTV cameras.
Wireless CCTV Cameras Have No Wires
Perhaps the most obvious advantage is that wireless cameras don’t have wires. Unfortunately, a criminal who wants to break into a building with wired CCTV surveillance, no matter how comprehensive the system, only needs a pair of wire cutters. At this point, they can get into the building with no surveillance whatsoever. Wireless CCTV cameras have no wires and, as such, aren’t susceptible to this kind of break-in.
Additionally, when installing a wired CCTV camera, you will likely need to drill holes and invest in mounting kits. Wireless CCTV cameras are far less time-consuming to install and are incredibly easy to use. Furthermore, you can angle the cameras in whichever way you want to adapt to the precise placements needed for adequate CCTV protection.
Find out more about Wireless CCTV!
Secured Footage
Wireless CCTV cameras in most cases save data directly to the cloud. They are also usually fitted with alarm monitoring services. A particularly tenacious criminal could easily break into your premises and damage the CCTV footage. This makes it impossible to build a case against them. With wireless CCTV cameras, your footage is safely backed up, making it impossible to fully destroy.
They also use highly secure encryption methods for backing up the digital data. This means that your footage is safe not just from physical crime, but also from cybercriminals. They’ll also even work during power outages, due to their independent power sources.
Wireless CCTV Cameras are more Flexible
Due to the lack of wires, wireless CCTV cameras can be placed wherever you need. With traditional CCTV cameras, the wires could restrict the possible placements, meaning that there could be parts of your building that were completely unmonitored. Going wireless also allows you to conceal the cameras much more easily, as you won’t be caught out by dangling wires.
Wireless CCTV Cameras are easily accessible
Wireless CCTV Cameras can be placed up to 10 miles away from the receiver and will still pick it up. The signal is also able to pass through walls, metal, wood, glass and plastic. You can access your wireless camera, and check the feeds, from anywhere in the world. This means that you can leave on holiday, or work remotely, and not have to worry about the security of your building.