How effective is the CCTV camera for security?
I would like to commend the President for the removal of taxation on security equipment such as alarm systems and closed circuit television (CCTV), in light of our current security environment, this will make the purchase of security equipment affordable.
I would like to commend the President for the removal of taxation on security equipment such as alarm systems and closed circuit television (CCTV), in light of our current security environment, this will make the purchase of security equipment affordable.
I would like to give some guidance to the readers on the use of CCTV and its effectiveness. It is an effective tool in fighting crime, but only in conjunction with other crime fighting measures. Based on a national evaluation conducted by Prof Martin Gill of the University of Leicester, UK in liaison with the UK home office, which funded the project spanning several years, a scientific approach concluded that CCTV influenced behaviour, but the reduction was attributed to other crime fighting initiatives and not CCTV only.
CCTV works best together with neighbourhood watch, police force, police patrols and street lighting.
A CCTV systems buyer needs to have the following questions in mind: what picture quality is wanted? What do you want monitored? Where do you want the system installed? Are you willing to invest the money to buy the equipment and maintain it during its lifespan (five years)?
The second critical point is that the installation companies should be accredited to a national body that maintains high standards in how CCTV is installed.
A good example is the nation security inspectorate or the security in safe hands. These are agencies based in the UK and Uganda should set up similar bodies to promote best practice. The Government should spearhead research in how effective CCTV can be used in our crime and security context. Failure to carry out research would result in a lack of policy framework to aid all stakeholders in utilising CCTV systems fully.
Furthermore, the legal framework to regulate the use of this technology is still in its infancy.
However, when the correct CCTV system is specified, properly installed and maintained, you can protect yourself from allegations of abuse. If you run a nightclub, your clientele are safer when you use the CCTV system.
The writer is a criminologist and security consultant
I would like to give some guidance to the readers on the use of CCTV and its effectiveness. It is an effective tool in fighting crime, but only in conjunction with other crime fighting measures. Based on a national evaluation conducted by Prof Martin Gill of the University of Leicester, UK in liaison with the UK home office, which funded the project spanning several years, a scientific approach concluded that CCTV influenced behaviour, but the reduction was attributed to other crime fighting initiatives and not CCTV only.
CCTV works best together with neighbourhood watch, police force, police patrols and street lighting.
A CCTV systems buyer needs to have the following questions in mind: what picture quality is wanted? What do you want monitored? Where do you want the system installed? Are you willing to invest the money to buy the equipment and maintain it during its lifespan (five years)?
The second critical point is that the installation companies should be accredited to a national body that maintains high standards in how CCTV is installed.
A good example is the nation security inspectorate or the security in safe hands. These are agencies based in the UK and Uganda should set up similar bodies to promote best practice. The Government should spearhead research in how effective CCTV can be used in our crime and security context. Failure to carry out research would result in a lack of policy framework to aid all stakeholders in utilising CCTV systems fully.
Furthermore, the legal framework to regulate the use of this technology is still in its infancy.
However, when the correct CCTV system is specified, properly installed and maintained, you can protect yourself from allegations of abuse. If you run a nightclub, your clientele are safer when you use the CCTV system.
The writer is a criminologist and security consultant