The Dover Port has numerous, diverse CCTV systems which have grown organically with no strategic direction; we were asked to audit these systems and to make recommendations with particular emphasis on critical systems that would be expected to function well in a very busy passenger terminal.

Pictured left: Dover Harbour

MSC undertook a feasibility report for Christchurch Borough Council of their existing camera and control room CCTV systems situated around the town and to evaluate the Operational Requirements to install additional cameras. From this review, we were commissioned to tender the work to upgrade the control room to a full digital system and to replace a number of aging cameras around the town.

We provide a retained security consultancy service for the provision of specialist advice relating to the three town centre CCTV camera systems and the management and supervision of the maintenance provider.

We have also carried out numerous transmission and CCTV system upgrades in the towns of Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington together with the control room upgrade.

We have been involved with a number of security and CCTV projects on behalf of Bristol City Council, some of these are: -

• Assess requirements for the public safety and traffic monitoring CCTV cameras to be able to control cameras and review images from one joint, central matrix and Graphic User Interface (GUI) control. Evaluate DVR requirements for the regulation of road traffic offences
• Evaluate digital recording system against a performance specification for 200 + cameras
• Specify and Project Manage installation of self-provide fibre optic cabling and microwave transmission for multi storey and surface car parks (77 cameras)
• Design and project manage the installation of a 6 camera CCTV system to be transmitted via microwave to a nearby, established CCTV control room
• Design and project manage the installation of an 11 camera CCTV system to be transmitted via wireless IP solution to the council’s existing CCTV control room
• Conduct security review of a council building and make recommendations to utilise security technology to reduce reliance and cost on manned guarding

Global MSC Security were appointed by Queen Mary’s University of London to carry out a full review of technological security systems across their three remote campuses and to make recommendations to reduce revenue costs and provide a resilience option in the event of a control room communications failure.

Pictured left: Queens' Building, Queen Mary's University of London

The British Library commissioned MSC to determine the detailed environmental and technological design requirements for their planned, upgraded CCTV control and security centre to take account of ergonomic and 'human factor' design requirements as set out in various British Standards. The objective was to design adequate working conditions with regard to human safety, health and wellbeing whilst taking account of technological and economic efficiency.

We have also conducted legislation training for operators.

We have attended Bridgetown Barbados on behalf of the Government and the BTI on three occasions, to assess potential camera locations and control room options. Most recently we recommended the use and operation of cameras using an innovative transmission medium, COFDM (Coded Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing). We designed CCTV systems for Bridgetown and for five other outlying tourist towns.

Pictured left: Trials of wireless transmission around Bridgetown.

We acted as a retained specialist security advisor to EMI for all aspects of security. As part of this brief we have designed speed gates, access control and integrated CCTV systems and have compiled the tender specifications to implement these requirements and project managed the installation. We have compiled procedural documentation to ensure lawful compliance of their CCTV systems, etc.

Pictured right: Speed gates at EMI

We conducted a feasiliblity study of the existing CCTV systems and produced a strategic 5 year plan to deal with the options and reduce ongoing revenue costs. Part of this investigation dealt with costs associated with the re-location of the CCTV control room which were accepted and we managed the implementation of the new control room to the Aylesbury Police Station with state of the art DVRs, GUIs and rear screen projectors for the display of all images. We have also specified and managed the installation of Automatic Number Plate (ANPR) camera systems with integration into the Thames Valley Police Back Office Facility (BOF).

Additionally, we assessed proposals for both Aylesbury Vale District Council and Bucks County Councils for submissions by integrators for an Urban Management Traffic Control (UTMC) system to integrate into the existing town centre CCTV system. This is intended for the dual use of cameras from two control rooms, managed on one platform from a synchronised Graphic User Interface (GUI)

Global MSC compiled an Operational Requirement for a new internal and external IP CCTV system for the University of West of England’s four campuses comprising of circa 240 cameras. This involved reviewing compliance with legislation, policies and procedures and making recommendations to develop a more effective and efficient service. Access control to all premises (including circa 3,000 residential rooms) and the IT network will be upgraded as part of this work.

Pictured left: University of West of England, Frenchay Campus

For the University of Bristol, we undertook a review of the University’s existing CCTV and access control systems and performed an Operational Requirement assessment of existing cameras from which it was determined that the camera numbers could be reduced by half with consequent revenue savings. Additionally MSC compiled a five year CCTV Strategy and project managed the design of a new CCTV control room for remote monitoring and specified and project managed the works.

Pictured Right: The iconic Wills Building, University of Bristol

Global MSC designed and specified an IP solution to enable images from any of the 1,100 CCTV cameras from various cities, towns and villages around the three counties to be transmitted to either of the two remote police command and control suites using the police network.

We carried out a feasibility study of the existing security systems for the Concierge Service used by the social housing organisation, Your Homes Newcastle (YHN). This service covers 40 sites made up of 56 blocks and approximately 5,900 properties.

Part of this process was to assess the current security provision and to develop a service specification as well as a design and build specification for a dedicated control room. Consideration was also given to opportunities for income generation and the introduction of additional value added services to the residents and the YHN client.
 
We have since implemented parts of our recommendations.

We were commissioned to Project Manage the CCTV upgrade for the Art at the Centre in the High Street as well as being commissioned to advise on the security implications of artwork being permanently being displayed in the High Street, together with numerous trees intended to be planted to ‘soften’ the environment to make it more pedestrian friendly. Recommendations were made to deal with camera blind spots being created and improved illumination consequences.

Pictured left: An artist's impression of Art at the Centre

We specified and project managed the installation of a town centre CCTV system for remote monitoring by a neighbouring authority in the Hanham area of Bristol. We also conducted a procurement exercise for the installation and maintenance contractor.

In addition, we have undertaken the project management of the upgrade of transmission for a number of existing town centre IP CCTV systems throughout the councils’ area to ‘self-provide’ fibre using analogue transmission and to install new camera systems in other remote areas.

Global MSC Security has been appointed by Torbay Council to provide a review with costed options, of the Council’s 15 year old analogue 200 + camera CCTV system in the Torquay, Paignton and Brixham areas.

Subject to the recommendations, Global MSC Security will project manage the upgrade of the cameras, transmission and implement the installation of a new multi-service Community Control Centre.

Pictured above: Derek Maltby in Brixham

The council wished to secure a Travellers’ and Gypsy site and to obtain evidence of anti-social and criminal behaviour. Global MSC Security were tasked to design a system, minimising the revenue costs and utilising nearby existing fibre optic links for monitoring at a nearby established town centre CCTV control room.

After many considerations, it was decided that COFDM (Coded Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) was the best option for the project.

Pictured right: The scale of the columns installed at the site to ensure resilience to vandalism and sabotage.

MSC were appointed by Sainsbury’s, in conjunction with Cherwell District Council, to design, specify and commission a new shopping centre and multi-storey car park CCTV camera and recording system to be installed in a joint project in Bicester. The images are to be transmitted 15 miles away to the town centre CCTV control room in Banbury.