Stadia

halo

Halo scores hat-trick for football club security

Halo Solutions – crowd safety and security operations platform – has scored a hat-trick after Premier League club Nottingham Forest FC, Championship club Birmingham City FC and Chelsea FC became the latest football clubs to integrate its award-winning incident and task management software, Halo (v5).  Chelsea FC will use Halo (v5) for the 24/7 security contract at Stamford Bridge as well as Chelsea’s Cobham Training Ground. The clubs will use Halo’s cutting-edge safety and security technology to: Help protect and keep fans safe managing all incidents observed at matches or day-to-day on their premises. Create & monitor digitised security, match day safety and pre-match checks. Enhance and bolster existing robust crowd safety and security measures. Streamline all reporting procedures, including reporting codes available to the public, volunteers & wider club staff to report suspicious activity, anti-social behaviour or safety incidents. Build clear and complete debriefs on every match day or month of operations for presentation at Safety Advisory Group (SAGs). The ground-breaking operations software is already being used 24/7-365 right across the English Football Leagues by clubs such as Watford FC, West Bromwich Albion and Mansfield Town FC, as well as clubs in the MLS (Major League Soccer, USA) and in security operations at stadia and venues across the UK. Halo has quickly established itself as one of the leading crowd safety and security technology companies in the world, with the Halo incident and task management system handling over 2,500 events 88,000 incidents and 550,000 tasks for some of the world’s biggest venue and event operations last year. OCS Group Senior Security Manager (Chelsea Football Club), Bakary Bah, said: “We’ve seen fantastic results implementing the Halo System into match-day and everyday security operations across Stamford Bridge and Cobham Training Ground. Halo’s user-friendly appearance and flexible ability to ensure all our safety & security management is streamlined into one place was a huge reason for us choosing Halo over other platforms. We run our site security program to the highest possible standard, and the reporting capabilities of Halo help us to manage and audit all incidents, tasks, patrols and activities continuously all within one, easy-to-use platform.” Halo was founded by Lloyd Major, a former national counterterrorism police officer, crowd safety and event security adviser with 20 years of policing experience, including police training and public order command at major sporting events. During this time, Lloyd became the first operational police planner in the UK to obtain a Master’s degree in Emergency Planning and Management and developed a totally new process for threat assessment at public events, which became national policing policy. Lloyd also worked around England in Operational Planning Units, including sitting on Safety Advisory Groups (SAGs) for specialist planning advice for thousands of major sporting and entertainment events, major tournaments, protests and operations. This extensive knowledge and experience was then channelled into creating the Halo System to address key challenges in crowd safety, incident management and security for venues, stadiums and arenas – so they can get the right information to the right people at the right time, easily. Commenting on the announcement, Halo CEO and Founder Lloyd Major said: “We are delighted to have added Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City to the growing list of football clubs that use Halo’s technology to provide safety and security to everyone across their sites. Clubs are expected to provide the very best crowd safety and security initiatives within their operations for fan safety. We are proud to support even more clubs on that mission, bringing digital simplicity to both matchday and everyday use with our platform. It is reassuring to see such a proactive and robust approach to safety and security from these clubs in the running of their stadia, the  safety of their visitors and event experiences.” The Halo (v5)software system was designed with public safety and security at its core to assist with rapid decision-making, with the ability to integrate all streams of information and intelligence into one place to enable faster responses – to ultimately protect the public and save lives. The Halo System acts as a central command-and-control function that operates from a standard laptop, tablet or smart phone, and brings together more than 10 different systems into one, with over 75 client-led features. Halo integrates monitoring and recording of multiple feeds of information across a venue, from security, CCTV and live drone feeds to health and safety, cleaning, medical, public reports, ticket scanning and staff accreditation – and next year will include crowd management, crowd density, flow, sentiment, mood and capacity. It means that when an incident occurs, all the actions, updates and decisions taken by staff are recorded in one location for more effective decision-making, transparency and debriefing capability with a clear and complete audit trail. It also provides an invaluable reporting mechanism on crowd safety, health and safety and general incident logging across all custom types faced by a venue. This allows operations directors, event managers and venue owners to customise the system to their needs and get the most meaningful information to positively impact on public safety. Critically, in the event of a major incident it can also provide vital evidential data to support the decisions taken by the organisation. Halo Solutions has played a hugely important role in protecting people and keeping them safe at some of the biggest events on the planet, with major events around the world, including the coronation of King Charles III, the Eurovision song contest, FIFA World Cup fan zones in Qatar, the Miami F1 Grand Prix, Silverstone’s British Grand Prix and Moto GP – to mention just a handful. It has also protected fans at some of the UK’s biggest entertainment events, from Notting Hill Carnival and Glastonbury to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II and coronation of HM King Charles III. The crowd and event safety platform has also been deployed at the NEC in Birmingham, ExCeL London, Motorpoint Arena Nottingham and ACC Liverpool to keep millions of visitors safe each year. The Halo (v5) crowd safety platform has also played a major

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Heras

Janet Shelley MBE joins Heras

The UK permanent perimeter protection solutions arm of Heras has appointed Janet Shelley MBE as a Business Development Manager (BDM) for the company’s servicing and maintenance department. Janet will cover the south of the UK and will target the owners and landlords of public spaces, manufacturing plants, engineering sites, sports stadia and distribution hubs to encourage them to get their access control systems – such as gates and barriers – serviced on a regular basis. She is keen to get the message to the market about the importance of regular servicing and maintenance to both meet regulatory requirements and standards (such as the mandatory European NEN-EN 13241-1 standard and the Machinery Directive) and minimise the downtime on sites should faults or malfunctions occur. “Servicing and maintenance of elements of perimeter protection systems – such as turnstiles and bollards – are often overlooked at the point of purchase because of the assumption that they will last for years before they break down,” said Janet. “But we always use the analogy of buying a brand-new car and driving it for years without servicing it. Yes, it will go for miles and miles, but at some point it will break down – and that will probably prove very costly. “It’s a simple ‘prevention is better than cure’ message to point out that if a sliding gate, swing gate or bi-fold gate, for example, stops working, an entire site’s operations can quickly come to a grinding halt because people can’t enter or leave the site. And for logistics hubs, as an example, this could be disastrous, as such sites have to run like clockwork.” Janet – who received her MBE for services to the construction industry after founding a company that provided training and skills pathways for women into the building industry – is keen to point out that Heras doesn’t just cover its own products: as an industry leader, it can also provide servicing and maintenance solutions for other systems. Her appointment comes hot on the heels of Jacqui Walker and Phil Lafone recently joining Heras as Key Account Managers for the Doncaster-based company, which is Europe’s leading end-to-end supplier of permanent and mobile perimeter protection solutions. Speaking about the raft of new appointments, Heras’s Managing Director for the UK, David Owen, said that Heras now has a team in place that can help the company as it plans for growth. “Heras has been very proactive in putting the right building blocks in place as part of our plan for growth in a challenging marketplace,” he said. “Having the right blend of people in our team is essential, and Janet, Jacqui and Phil have all hit the ground running and added a new dynamic to our UK team. “And progress is on track constructing our new €10M state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at our head office in the Netherlands – which will initially produce sliding, swing and bi-fold gates that will be bound for the UK market as early as autumn this year.” Read more exclusives and news in our latest issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Security Buyer  @SecurityBuyer  @Secbuyer Media Contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: [email protected]

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Hik

Securing UAE’s sports complex

Game, set, and match: How the UAE’s premier sports complex is protecting fans with an advanced security system from Hikvision To protect 1.7 million visiting sports fans each year, Zayed Sport City – the largest sports complex in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – has deployed a site-wide security system from Hikvision. Incorporating more than 670 integrated cameras, the solution reduces workloads and costs with cool AI features, while also providing super high-resolution imaging to boost security across the site. The challenge: the need for high-resolution and automatic video security Zayed Sport City, which has been recognized as the UAE’s number one sports destination, welcomes more than 1.7 million sports fans each year. The site incorporates a stadium, ice rink, bowling center, tennis center and a range of other sports facilities. With such large numbers of people moving around the site, there is always a chance that accidents and other incidents could occur – potentially putting visitors to the complex at risk. The key to preventing accidents and keeping sports fans safe is to effectively keep track of all areas of the complex during sports events, and to respond quickly if anything goes wrong. But with many hundreds of cameras needed to provide full coverage of the site, the resulting video streams are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to be processed manually. As an additional challenge, the sports venues and facilities need to keep an eye on very large spaces, often with very high ceilings. This means that high-resolution security cameras are needed to provide clear imaging at significant distances, with cameras often mounted high up on pillars, posts, or ceilings. To address these challenges, Zayed Sport City needed a security and safety system that could protect all areas of the site – without the excessive workloads associated with manual approaches. The solution: a multi-functional, stadium-wide security system from Hikvision To maximize visitor safety, Zayed Sport City has deployed a site-wide security system from Hikvision. This incorporates all the cameras and control room equipment needed to protect the site, 24-hours a day. The solution incorporates around 670 Hikvision cameras with different functions and types that were deployed during two major project phases. These are being used to protect all of the sports venues and facilities inside the Zayed Sport City, as well as spectator seating areas and parking areas. As well as offering high-definition imaging (with 2- and 4-megapixel resolution across the Hikvision bullet and PTZ camera fleet), selected Hikvision cameras also offer on-board AI capabilities to automate key security tasks. One example of this is license-plate recognition (ANPR) technology built into cameras in the stadium parking areas, which are increasing security and supporting efficient parking operations. AI capabilities also allow the security team to search back through video footage much more quickly and easily when investigating accidents and incidents. All Hikvision cameras have been integrated into the Zayed Sport City Video Management System. The benefits: improved safety, efficiency and scalability for site security management With the Hikvision solution, many routine security tasks can be handled automatically, reducing the risk of missed incidents, speeding up responses, and reducing staff workloads and costs. Khalid Al Mutawa, Director of Operations for Abu Dhabi Entertainment Company, the company that manages and operates Zayed Sport City, says, “Streamlining our processes with this system has allowed us to work more efficiently. The automated security alerts and the HD Video help us to respond quickly and work with peace of mind.” Increased operating efficiency With the ability to search through video footage quickly and easily to investigate accidents and incidents, the security team is achieving major time savings compared to reviewing video manually. “The Hikvision system’s AI features are very valuable in investigating incidents and it reduces the time required by our staff significantly” says Khalid Al Mutawa. “This frees our security team up for our core activity: keeping visitors safe and ensuring that the complex is secure at all times.” Effective, efficient AI security at an affordable cost The fact that Hikvision cameras use onboard AI capabilities has made it cost-effective for Zayed Sport City to deploy the latest security technologies quickly, across the entire site. Additionally, new AI capabilities – such as the ability to locate and help unaccompanied minors or to count people to prevent crowding – can be added cost-effectively in the future, with no need to replace existing control room equipment or software. Seamless integration with the Zayed Sport City VMS All elements of the Hikvision security system could be integrated seamlessly with Zayed Sport City’s chosen VMS. This minimized deployment cost and risk and is ensuring that all elements of the solution work in harmony to protect visitors to the stadium. “It was critical for us that cameras and other equipment deployed in phase 1 and phase 2 would integrate easily with our currently used VMS, with no compatibility issues,” says Khalid Al Mutawa. “Hikvision offered a fast and easy solution, and full coverage of the site was installed on time.” To read more exclusive features and latest news please see our March issue here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: [email protected]

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Video Surveillance: Intelligent video analytics

Intelligent video surveillance connected systems have become part of the norm, so how can deep learning benefit security systems? IDIS recently launched the latest tech-explainer eBook – The Benefits of Deep Learning Driven Intelligent Video Analytics. The eBook explores how a new generation of AI video solutions is delivering better security, safety, operational efficiency and business intelligence. The eBook, which can be downloaded now from the IDIS website, reflects the company’s commitment to supporting its systems integrator partners as they focus on delivering advanced video solutions into growth sectors.  In recent years, the terms ‘intelligent’ and ‘artificial intelligence (AI)’ have been applied to many different types of security systems, but without agreement on what AI means, says IDIS, so it’s important to understand that not all solutions are designed to the same standard or deliver equal value. This is despite the fact that 71% of security professionals report that AI video analytics already provides value to their operations or that they expect it to in the future, according to the IFSEC Global Video Surveillance Report 2020, which analysed feedback from over 700 security respondents globally. The new eBook explains some of the differences between conventional Binary Large OBject ‘BLOB’ analytics (found in most modern network cameras and relatively prone to false-alarm triggers caused by environmental factors) and more powerful deep learning technologies.  But video analytics capability has moved considerably beyond this. Today security departments can take advantage of deep learning that leverages neural networks made up of multiple layers of algorithms and advanced processing. This is now driving what is widely accepted to mean true intelligent video analytics. Deep learning engines are ‘trained’ using vast datasets of images and video footage of people, objects, and vehicles. They can ‘look for’ size, shape, speed, and directional information, and they continue to learn while in use. To an extent, deep learning replicates the way neurons work in the brain: it can analyse and prioritise input from video data to` decide which inputs are of value, and it will notify security operatives accordingly. These newest generation AI solutions leverage neural networks made up of multiple layers of algorithms and advanced processing, and can be more accurately called ‘intelligent’ video analytics.  Deep learning’s real value comes from its ability to detect events of interest and distinguish these from video data input which is just ‘noise’. But some caution is still needed, warns IDIS: deep learning video solutions can still disappoint if the engines and algorithms that drive them are not fully trained and able to recognise objects reliably and accurately. By contrast, effective deep learning video analytics can deliver multiple benefits, from preventing ‘alarm overload’ in busy security control rooms, to freeing up personnel resources and enabling security provision to be better focused. Metadata search functions also allow users to benefit from advanced interrogation of single and multiple cameras, speeding up investigations and automatically locating objects or people of interest. The eBook also outlines how AI video can support efficient return-to-work strategies and ensure COVID-secure facilities and workplaces using highly accurate analytics for face mask detection, social distancing adherence, people counting, and occupancy monitoring. Guidance is also provided for systems integrators, demonstrating how the same functionality will deliver value beyond the pandemic, with benefits such as facilities and workspace optimisation, and actionable insights particularly for the retail and hospitality sectors.  “The best AI offerings today add value for customers by providing useful business intelligence and rapidly increasing productivity and efficiency,” says Andrew Myung, President, IDIS America. “This new eBook explains how systems integrators can get past the jargon to support end-users, building a compelling business case that addresses both immediate priorities and demonstrates long-term return on investment.” False alarms The first section of the report details how to overcome challenges from false alarms. The 2020 IFSEC Global Video Surveillance report cited reducing false alarms as the #1 reason for adopting AI – and for good reason. Traditional blob type analytics cameras are prone to being triggered by environmental factors, such as heavy rain, snow, or moving foliage, and struggle to distinguish a human presence, which may present a threat, from harmless animal activity. For users, this can result in time being wasted investigating the cause of alarms, and the larger the site, or more overstretched the system operator, the worse that problem can be. ‘Alarm overload’ is a common problem. Operators can quickly become desensitised by false alarms and can start missing genuine threats, or even be tempted to shut off the system. Alarm receiving centers and virtual guarding firms typically increase charges for more frequent call outs and they may even withdraw monitoring services from problematic sites until cameras are re-configured or replaced.  This can result in organisations needing to draft in additional security officers, to maintain protection, or risk leaving gaps in security. Over time, many organisations find it infeasible to maintain systems that are prone to false alarms. The solution? By moving to deep learning-based analytics, customers can attain improved situational awareness, with highly accurate AI-assisted notifications for intrusion, object, loitering, and unusual event detection. Security operators will be better able to manage everyday events, and respond to more serious threats and emergencies. In short, safety and security are enhanced by better detection and verification. Unlike human brains, deep learning engines don’t get tired. They can constantly monitor multiple camera streams in search of suspicious behavior, maintaining performance levels even in the busiest scenes such as retail malls, logistics centers, higher education settings, and outdoor spaces. Relying on human operators to monitor multiple cameras means hiring enough staff to cope and allowing for regular breaks to ensure they stay alert.  Using AI-assisted notifications free-up operators from having to constantly monitor multiple camera streams and video walls. Instead, they can respond quickly and flexibly, and not just from the control room. They can configure alarms to be received to client software, and on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, giving the ability to verify and respond to events on the

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PNF 9010RV

Bewildered by the choice?

With system designers having so many options when it comes to specifying the most appropriate cameras to monitor large areas, Uri Guterman, Head of Product & Marketing for Hanwha Techwin Europe, provides an overview of the merits of some of the most suitable camera formats. PTZ cameras PTZ cameras have traditionally been used for city and wide area surveillance applications such as airports, car parks, shopping centres, sports stadia and warehouses, with operators able to track the movement of objects and zoom in to observe close-up detail of any activity. The ability of an operator to proactively monitor an incident and zoom in to verify what is occurring, ensures they are able to quickly decide on the most appropriate response. In addition, many PTZ cameras feature auto-tracking, as well as continuous pan and pre-set positioning, which means that images of a moving object will be captured and recorded even when operators are distracted or are away from their workstations. The deterrent effect of PTZ cameras configured to automatically tour an area should also not be underestimated as they will create a strong impression to would be offenders that they are being watched, even if the images captured by the cameras are not being monitored in real-time. 8K cameras Whilst it should be emphasised that PTZ cameras still have a big part to play in detecting anti-social or criminal activity, recent advances in video surveillance technology has meant that system designers now have the option to consider specifying other types of cameras which, depending on the application, might be more suitable. The sharpness and clarity of the images captured by 8K video surveillance cameras, for example, simply ‘need to be seen, to be believed’. In reality, very few users are likely to deploy 8K cameras with the intention of just monitoring an entire field of view. The value of these cameras comes from the fact that 8K is the equivalent of 16 x 1080p Full HD images and this means that a single camera can capture a vast amount of information, enabling operators to digitally zoom into a very small part of the scene without any pixilation of the image. For this reason, a football stadium is an excellent example of where an 8K camera can be put to very good use as it would be capable of capturing evidence grade images of 20,000 or more fans occupying a football stand. As such, its price/performance ratio makes the 8K camera a viable, cost-effective alternative to the deployment of multiple fixed or PTZ cameras. ‘Horses for courses’ When it comes to deciding whether an ultra-high resolution 8K or PTZ is the best camera format for any given location, it will very much depend on what the end-user wishes to achieve. However, budget limitations also need to be taken into consideration. In simple terms, an 8K camera is a highly impressive, high performance option if there is a requirement to continually record a camera’s entire field of view at the same time that an operator might need to zoom into a specific area of interest. However, PTZ cameras are a much lower price option and are ideal for when operators need to constantly scan a wide area of view, whilst having the flexibility when necessary, to quickly zoom in to see what may be occurring in greater detail. The case for PTZ cameras is further strengthened when real-time monitoring is more important than recording video for evidence purposes and equally important, the latest generation of PTZ cameras are equipped with adaptive IR technology which adjusts the angle of the camera’s built-in IR LEDs to match the level of zoom. Multi-sensor, multi-directional cameras Multi-directional cameras typically offer the capabilities of two, three or four video surveillance cameras in a single housing and yet, as they only have a single IP connection, you will only need to purchase one VMS license. Those equipped with two separate lenses are designed to capture high definition images of adjacent areas. Depending on the required field of view, there is a choice of interchangeable lens modules which can be easily fitted on site by an installation engineer. These multi-streaming cameras significantly reduce the costs which would normally be associated with installing two separate cameras to monitor, for example, an L-shaped area such as two sections of a corridor or two sides of a building. There are also multi-directional cameras available which feature four separate sensors, with operators able to choose from a broad range of customisable angles and zoom settings per sensor. This offers cost savings for both system integrators and end users, as multi-sensor cameras use less cable, conduit and mounting hardware, compared to what would normally be required to enable up to four separate cameras to do the same job.  With less network connections, they also require fewer switches. Designed for monitoring large open areas with just one camera, the images captured by the four sensors can be seamlessly stitched to produce a panoramic image covering up to 220° images. Life will also be much easier for installers if models equipped with motorised PTRZ gimbals are specified. These will reduce on-site times as they enable engineers to remotely pan, tilt and rotate the lens’ positions in order to set the camera’s field of view. Built-in PTZ It is worth noting that some manufacturers, such as Hanwha Techwin, offer 4 channel multi-sensor cameras with an additional integral PTZ camera. This can be configured to automatically zoom in and track a moving object or move to a user configured pre-set position when the motion detection function of one of the four camera sensors detects activity. This addition of a PTZ camera means users are able to avoid incurring the higher capital, installation and maintenance costs of deploying 5 separate cameras to cover a large area, whilst achieving the same level of functionality. 360⁰ cameras A single 360⁰ camera will quite often offer the most efficient and cost-effective way of monitoring a large area and particularly so when a

Bewildered by the choice? Read More »

Bewildered by the choice?

With system designers having so many options when it comes to specifying the most appropriate cameras to monitor large areas, Uri Guterman, Head of Product & Marketing for Hanwha Techwin Europe, provides an overview of the merits of some of the most suitable camera formats. PTZ cameras PTZ cameras have traditionally been used for city and wide area surveillance applications such as airports, car parks, shopping centres, sports stadia and warehouses, with operators able to track the movement of objects and zoom in to observe close-up detail of any activity. The ability of an operator to proactively monitor an incident and zoom in to verify what is occurring, ensures they are able to quickly decide on the most appropriate response. In addition, many PTZ cameras feature auto-tracking, as well as continuous pan and pre-set positioning, which means that images of a moving object will be captured and recorded even when operators are distracted or are away from their workstations. The deterrent effect of PTZ cameras configured to automatically tour an area should also not be underestimated as they will create a strong impression to would be offenders that they are being watched, even if the images captured by the cameras are not being monitored in real-time. 8K cameras Whilst it should be emphasised that PTZ cameras still have a big part to play in detecting anti-social or criminal activity, recent advances in video surveillance technology has meant that system designers now have the option to consider specifying other types of cameras which, depending on the application, might be more suitable. The sharpness and clarity of the images captured by 8K video surveillance cameras, for example, simply ‘need to be seen, to be believed’. In reality, very few users are likely to deploy 8K cameras with the intention of just monitoring an entire field of view. The value of these cameras comes from the fact that 8K is the equivalent of 16 x 1080p Full HD images and this means that a single camera can capture a vast amount of information, enabling operators to digitally zoom into a very small part of the scene without any pixilation of the image. For this reason, a football stadium is an excellent example of where an 8K camera can be put to very good use as it would be capable of capturing evidence grade images of 20,000 or more fans occupying a football stand. As such, its price/performance ratio makes the 8K camera a viable, cost-effective alternative to the deployment of multiple fixed or PTZ cameras. ‘Horses for courses’ When it comes to deciding whether an ultra-high resolution 8K or PTZ is the best camera format for any given location, it will very much depend on what the end-user wishes to achieve. However, budget limitations also need to be taken into consideration. In simple terms, an 8K camera is a highly impressive, high performance option if there is a requirement to continually record a camera’s entire field of view at the same time that an operator might need to zoom into a specific area of interest. However, PTZ cameras are a much lower price option and are ideal for when operators need to constantly scan a wide area of view, whilst having the flexibility when necessary, to quickly zoom in to see what may be occurring in greater detail. The case for PTZ cameras is further strengthened when real-time monitoring is more important than recording video for evidence purposes and equally important, the latest generation of PTZ cameras are equipped with adaptive IR technology which adjusts the angle of the camera’s built-in IR LEDs to match the level of zoom. Multi-sensor, multi-directional cameras Multi-directional cameras typically offer the capabilities of two, three or four video surveillance cameras in a single housing and yet, as they only have a single IP connection, you will only need to purchase one VMS license. Those equipped with two separate lenses are designed to capture high definition images of adjacent areas. Depending on the required field of view, there is a choice of interchangeable lens modules which can be easily fitted on site by an installation engineer. These multi-streaming cameras significantly reduce the costs which would normally be associated with installing two separate cameras to monitor, for example, an L-shaped area such as two sections of a corridor or two sides of a building. There are also multi-directional cameras available which feature four separate sensors, with operators able to choose from a broad range of customisable angles and zoom settings per sensor. This offers cost savings for both system integrators and end users, as multi-sensor cameras use less cable, conduit and mounting hardware, compared to what would normally be required to enable up to four separate cameras to do the same job.  With less network connections, they also require fewer switches. Designed for monitoring large open areas with just one camera, the images captured by the four sensors can be seamlessly stitched to produce a panoramic image covering up to 220° images. Life will also be much easier for installers if models equipped with motorised PTRZ gimbals are specified. These will reduce on-site times as they enable engineers to remotely pan, tilt and rotate the lens’ positions in order to set the camera’s field of view. Built-in PTZ It is worth noting that some manufacturers, such as Hanwha Techwin, offer 4 channel multi-sensor cameras with an additional integral PTZ camera. This can be configured to automatically zoom in and track a moving object or move to a user configured pre-set position when the motion detection function of one of the four camera sensors detects activity. This addition of a PTZ camera means users are able to avoid incurring the higher capital, installation and maintenance costs of deploying 5 separate cameras to cover a large area, whilst achieving the same level of functionality. 360⁰ cameras A single 360⁰ camera will quite often offer the most efficient and cost-effective way of monitoring a large area and particularly so when a

Bewildered by the choice? Read More »

Entrance

Crowdguard launch innovative Covid-19 and weapons attack mitigation ‘gateway’

A new crowd protection solution with the potential to transform the way we enter large-gathering events and venues has just been launched. Crowdgate is an innovative health protective and weapons detection solution specially designed to mitigate risks to eventgoer health and safety in major-event settings in the COVID era. Crowdgate was developed by Manchester-based crowd protection experts Crowdguard, in response to recent rises in terrorist and aggressive, anti-social behaviour as well as the very real threat of a COVID-spreading (or superspreading) incident. A solution which may help to turn the tide for UK venues beleaguered by lockdowns and their residual effects, Crowdgate aims to get the events industry in motion again – safely, smoothly and cost-effectively. With pre-event health screening, Crowdgate’s bespoke, platform-based Application Programming Interface (API) asks attendees to answer health-related questions before allowing them to download their unique QR entry code. On-site, Crowdgate bio-cabins are equipped with mask dispenser, hand sanitiser dispenser with fully customisable LED screen, as well as automatic temperature-checking and facial recognition cameras. Upon completing these steps, attendees register their QR code via Crowdgate’s integrated reader, passing through a turnstile and finally, through a metal detector. Crowdguard director Deborah Ainscough comments: “It’s crucial to our national economy and the jobs of thousands of individuals in the events industry that venues are able to access solutions which enable them to operate safely and efficiently. Crowdgate has been developed as a proactive means of protecting event attendees from the spread of COVID-19 and from weapons attacks. Because eventgoers must complete each step before proceeding to the next part of the process, Crowdgate ensures that every attendee is properly screened in an automated, controlled and contactless environment.” A game-changing innovation Developed in liaison with leading professionals from across diverse fields of event and crisis management, public health, crowd control and counter-terrorism, Crowdgate augments the company’s current offering, which includes its flagship product, Surface Guard Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) barrier. Surface Guard, Crowdguard’s crash-tested IWA14 pedestrian permeable barrier, was named Physical Security Product of the Year at the Counter Terror Awards 2019 and is used in cities across the UK in the protection of crowds and pedestrianisation of city streets. Leveraging a national geographic framework, in-house fleet of heavy lifting vehicles and highly skilled and experienced technicians, Crowdguard works with sister company Ainscough Industrial Services to ensure rapid deployment and installation, for a fast and efficient service and faultless integrity. Deborah adds, “We are committed to providing a one-stop shop for venue and event management teams, which is why we’ve partnered with Crowd Dynamics, who work closely with us to deliver effective crowd movement, modelling, planning and management. Insights from our partners inform each bespoke Crowdguard product configuration, so that our offering and the protection provided to eventgoers represent truly comprehensive and effective solutions. This, combined with in-house deployment, installation and removal, means that the service is hassle-free and cost-effective, and we understand these two qualities are really essential for players in the events industry given the current conditions.” Crowdgate: designed for flexibility A fully scalable containerised health protective and weapons detection solution, Crowdgate’s surface-mounted design allows for temporary or semi-permanent use, and is ideal for events lasting a single evening or several months. With rapid deployment, Crowdgate can be installed in diverse settings including stadia, sports grounds, exhibition centres, conference suites, outdoor marketplaces, fairgrounds, racecourses, public gardens, private estates and more. It allows venues to satisfy new, stricter regulatory requirements related to the forthcoming ‘Martyn’s Law’, under which venues will be responsible for incident response plans and exercises, increased training and airport-style security measures. It is also a cost-effective solution, as it allows stewards to look after guests with specific needs on a case-by-case basis, as others smoothly gain entrance to the venue. As a result, fewer on-site personnel are needed to carry out screening and checks, reducing staffing and training costs. Used together with Crowdguard’s Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) barriers, the equipment allows venues and event management teams to exercise an appropriate duty of care and operate with confidence that significant risks for crowded spaces have been mitigated, including the use of a vehicle as a weapon of attack, delivery of vehicle-borne IED, offensive weapons and in the COVID era, the threat of spreading infection. Crowdguard products allow event attendees and staff to enjoy and work at the venue with peace of mind, in full confidence that their health and safety are being well looked after. Crowdgate animated flythrough   To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global security market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: [email protected]

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Wembley2

Securiscape’s PAS 68 security planters mount a strong defence at Wembley

A leading specialist manufacturer of hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) products has protected sports fans and concert-goers by installing a row of PAS-68 planters in the shadow of Wembley Stadium. Securiscape, which is based in Derby, supplied five of the 1.4m square reinforced planters, which have been fitted into the pavement alongside Engineers Way, close to the flyover taking supporters up to the stadium. The work is part of an ambitious project to create Wembley Park, an 8.8 million sq ft mixed-use development consisting of apartment buildings, retail units, offices and a seven-acre park. It is the second time that Securiscape has supplied planters for the area, having previously installed seven planters across the entrance to Brent Borough Council’s nearby civic centre, which provides office space for 2,000 council employees and houses the borough’s library and is just a few yards away. The planters are positioned to ensure that they do not impede the progress of pedestrians and, to the naked eye, look like a row of stylish designer planters finished in a brushed stainless-steel shroud. However, underneath the shroud lurks a high-tech steel framework which surrounds a tough polyethylene planter and has been proven capable of stopping a 7.5 tonne truck travelling at 40mph in its tracks, earning it the industry’s coveted PAS 68-2010 standard. Mark Stone, managing director of Securiscape, said: “Our PAS 68 security planters have added a stylish and safe finishing touch to Brent Civic Centre, which is why we received this second order for Wembley Park. “The planters are in place now and they look just as good as those around the corner. We’re extremely proud to have been asked to supply a second row of planters for such a prestigious development. While we hope that their defensive capability is never required, we’re happy that they are affording local residents and workers peace of mind and helping to enhance one of the most ambitious and iconic redevelopment projects in London.” Securiscape has designed, manufactured and installed a wide range of outdoor security products, including reinforced bollards and street furniture, blast-resistant litter bins and its ingenious SecuriPods, a temporary defence which can be installed in minutes to protect pedestrians attending outdoor events. It has worked for clients across the UK and its products can been found outside high-profile buildings, including banks, sports stadia and airports, in London, Leeds, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Nottingham. For more information about Securiscape visit www.securiscape.co.uk  

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IDIS_European_Distribution_Centre

New IDIS European distribution centre to provide next day delivery and after-sales service

Full IDIS range to be shipped for next day delivery via flagship Netherlands centre to improve customer service and accelerate growth In a boost for video project implementations across Europe, all IDIS cameras, network recorders and accessories are now available to partners with next day delivery with the opening of a new distribution and after-sales service centre in the Netherlands. IDIS, which is Korea’s largest in-country surveillance manufacturer, is opening the new distribution centre to improve customer service and accelerate growth by supporting local distributors in each country through much faster delivery times, with all stock to be available within days, not weeks, even for the largest projects. Joon Jun, President of the Global Business Division, IDIS, said: “Our expanded operation means a huge step up in customer service. It can take a long time for buyers to choose a new video solution, but once they decide, they want it very quickly – we will now be able to do that, right across Europe, and in most cases we will dispatch same day for orders placed before midday.” The company saw 22% year-on-year growth across Europe last year and has developed a strong position in multi-site retail, including fashion chains, high-end boutiques and eating out sectors. IDIS has also built on its success during the 2018 Russian World Cup, when two of the main stadiums used IDIS video tech, with more European stadia now turning to IDIS surveillance to improve visitor and staff safety and manage the risks faced by major event venues. “For most applications customers don’t want to wait for service repairs or equipment upgrades,” added Joon Jun. IDIS distributors will now be able to better support their European integrator partners to win new projects with immediate rolling stock delivery as well as improve service levels with product refurbishments and repairs which will no longer need to be shipped to Korea. “Once a customer chooses an end-to-end IDIS solution they are fully protected and supported at every stage, including for maintenance, with regular firmware updates to protect against evolving cybersecurity risks, for scaling up and system expansion, and for ongoing free user training.  Now we can also guarantee much faster product delivery and quicker equipment repairs.” James Min, Managing Director, IDIS Europe added: “IDIS is already well known for the industry-leading IDIS Ultimate Warranty and first line local technical support. We have our own dedicated tech support desk here in Brentford, London, as well as offering first-line technical support in multiple languages via our network of distribution partners throughout mainland Europe. “We’re now backing this up with an additional layer of after-sales service in the Netherlands that will allow our national distributors and their system integration partners across Europe to increase service-levels for their customers.” To find out more about IDIS solutions, go to www.idisglobal.com.  For up to date news and information follow IDIS on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

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Heald Ltd. become the latest company to renew membership of Secured by Design accreditation

Company have worldwide reputation for HVM products installed at prestigious locations Heald Ltd, the Yorkshire based manufacturer of hostile vehicle mitigation systems, is one of the latest companies to renew their membership with Secured by Design (SBD), the national police crime prevention initiative. Heald started in 1987 as an agricultural engineering business before launching its first line of security barriers. Today, Heald manufactures and installs a range of innovative hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) systems and traffic control solutions and its award-winning roadblockers, barriers and bollards play a leading role in the defence of vulnerable properties worldwide. Clients include military sites, presidential buildings, palaces, embassies, border controls, airports, oil refineries, stadia, banks, shopping malls and government buildings. Heald is one of the largest manufacturers of security equipment in the UK and has been a member of SBD since 2005. Heald Ltd commented: “We are delighted to renew our membership with Secured by Design once again. Our products aim to keep people and places safe, therefore having this accreditation and recognition is important to Heald.” SBD Development Officer Alfie Hosker said: “I am delighted that Heald Ltd have renewed their SBD membership with us, as they have been working with us since the early 2000’s. The company have an excellent worldwide reputation for their HVM products which have contributed to the safety and security of many iconic sites both in this country and abroad. Heald have recently added more accredited products to their already extensive SBD range and I look forward to continuing our successful partnership.” SBD is part of Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (PCPI), a police owned organisation that works on behalf of the Police Service to deliver a wide range of crime prevention and demand reduction initiatives across the UK. PCPI is a not-for-profit organisation and Board Members include senior police officers from each of the four Home Nations who control and direct the work PCPI carries out on behalf of the Police Service. SBD plays a significant crime prevention role in the planning process to design out crime in a wide range of building sectors. It has achieved some significant success including one million homes built to SBD standards with reductions in crime of up to 87%. SBD have many partner organisations, ranging from the Home Office, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government and the Police Service through to local authorities, housing associations, developers and manufacturers and work closely with standards and certification bodies to ensure that their publicly available standards actually meet the needs of the police and public alike. Products must be subject to rigorous testing and additionally be fully certificated by an independent, third-party certification body accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) before being allowed to carry the SBD logo – this is the only way for companies to obtain police accreditation for security-related products in the UK.

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