Really sad to see this piece by the BBC on how 62 cameras in Birmingham will be removed at the end of November. It’s because they no longer meet legal requirements.
There was a flurry of activity on LinkedIn about the article too. Some CCTV experts blamed equipment that was out of date, substandard or obsolete. It had to be removed but lack of funds meant that these could not be replaced or upgraded.
Sadly, not all intruders are physical. Remember the film, Snowden? He puts a plaster over the camera on his laptop to stop the authorities from spying on him! Virtual intruders are becoming just as much of a problem.
And using a cheap home security camera could allow anyone to hack in to all the cameras in your home. Kitchen, hall, lounge, stairs. Wherever you have a camera, someone could be watching you.
Or even speaking to you… or your children!
How creepy is that? read more…
Following on from our blog post about virtual trip wires that work with analytic cameras to identify different categories of security equipment on your property.
Sometimes CCTV installers are stuck for a way to get sufficient coverage from their cameras. It’s all about angles. The cameras need to be higher than your building. This means cameras can end up mounted on trees! Which is great until the tree needs to be cut down.
For businesses, here’s just the thing. A mobile rapid deployment tower system.
I remember the first time I saw an article about ‘trip wires’. The image showed rays of light protecting an open patio door onto the balcony at a very expensive property.
It allowed the owners to sleep in their bedroom with the door open on hot sultry nights – without fear.
The only person they had to worry about was an intrepid ‘Mission Impossible’-style cat burglar.
Someone who had managed to get around the automated gate, run the gauntlet of the watching CCTV cameras and 24/7 monitoring and avoided setting off the alarmed windows and doors. read more…
Essex Police are supporting a new campaign helping to stop stalkers and bring them to justice. It also aims to raise awareness and help people recognise the signs of stalking – as a victim or when you suspect someone else might be.
Run by SETDAB, the Southend, Essex and Thurrock domestic abuse partnership, the campaign was launched in response to the large rise in stalking offences in Essex.
read more…
It’s all over the news this week. Amazon Ring have teamed up with some UK constabularies to give away free home security equipment. The tech in question is video doorbells.
These HD devices monitor your home day and night (using infrared vision). You will receive an alert on your mobile phone, laptop or PC as soon as movement is detected on or near your property. You can then view what is going on and communicate with any person on your property. read more…
In 1943, a psychologist by the name of Abraham Maslow established a hierarchy of human needs. But “what’s that got to do with Home Security?”, I hear you ask!
Well, personal security is included in Safety. Which comes second in terms of importance after our most basic Physiological needs – air, water, food, shelter, sleep, clothing and reproduction.
Sadly, the safety of our family and possessions is being threatened more and more. read more…
Most of us have heard the term ‘casing the joint’ in an old movie. It’s a slang term to describe the method used by burglars who are assessing whether to target a particular home or business.
These individuals will watch your property and look for patterns so they can decide:
But what signs should you look for to understand that you’re being watched by a burglar? read more…