We were excited to host our second Seminar and Exhibition in conjunction with Safe Newcastle and Government Office for the North East in Newcastle on 25th November 2008. The event took place at the Gosforth Park Marriott on the subject of ‘The National CCTV Strategy - Where Are We One Year On?’ The event attracted nearly 50 exhibitors and over 130 end-users to listen to informative and lively presentations and to view the latest developments in CCTV and security products. Speakers at the event were:

Garry Parkins (Consultant to the NPIA and Co-author of the National CCTV Strategy) delivered a very insightful presentation on developments with the National Strategy and our event was the first to learn that the Home Office has established a CCTV Project Board to enable systems to register and meet approval status. A press release regarding this announcement can be downloaded here.

Dr David Murakami Wood gave an extremely interesting presentation regarding his studies into the development of CCTV systems in Tokyo, Japan and its contrasts and similarities with the development of CCTV systems in the UK.

During the day, delegates entered a draw to win an Apple iPod-touch which was kindly donated by Stryker Communications. The iPod was won by Jim Summers of Select Electrics.

Prior to the Seminar, during the day on 24th November, one of our exhibitors, PersideS, hosted a golf day. Despite the sleet, snow and rain, over a dozen die-hard golf fans turned up for bacon sandwiches followed by 18 holes of golf playing an individual Stableford golf tournament. PersideS then presented awards for winners at the networking dinner which was hosetd at the Gosforth Marriott on the evening of 24th November. Overall winner of the event was Colin Murphy of Birmingham City Council and runner up was Rhodri Briggs of Safer South Gloucestershire. Winners of ‘longest drive’ and ‘nearest the pin’ were Thorsten Lindstrom of Fibre Options and Nick Kimber of Trapeze Networks.

The networking dinner took place at the Gosforth Marriott on the evening of 24th November where over 130 end-users and exhibitors enjoyed a relaxed and fun filled evening. During the dinner, there was an opportunity to enter a raffle to win two MP3 players which had been donated by Samsung Electronics. Winners were Councillor Anita Lower of Newcastle City Council and Bill Austin of Trowbridge Town Council. The money raised from the raffle (which came to a grand total of £497) was donated to the BBC Children In Need Appeal.

Global MSC Security is providing security consultancy for a new CCTV system that is being planned for Thornbury and improvements are being made to camera equipment in seven other areas of South Gloucestershire.

The council has approved the £300,000 scheme for Kingswood, Staple Hill, Chipping Sodbury, Hanham, Filton, Cadbury Heath and Patchway. Funding for the Thornbury equipment comes from a Home Office grant.

A council spokeswoman said the cameras would increase public reassurance, deter crime and secure convictions.

Councillor Heather Goddard said a lot of groundwork had been done since the council pledged to improve CCTV over the next three years.

“This has involved close partnership working between councillors, Safer South Gloucestershire, local communities, the police, council departments and the CCTV control centre in Bristol.

“It will help us achieve our aim of making sure residents feel safer and are safer,” she added.