CCTV (closed-circuit television) systems use video cameras to monitor the interior and exterior of buildings by transmitting the signal to a monitor for surveillance and security.
It is not uncommon to see CCTV cameras on the high street, in and around offices, shops, restaurants and commercial premises, but they are also becoming increasingly popular in domestic settings with homeowners keen to enhance safety measures and protect their belongings and loved ones.
The Benefits Of Installing CCTV In Your Commercial Or Residential Property
An Effective Deterrent
External CCTV systems that are clearly on show with warning posters displayed are an excellent way to deter criminal activity.
Similar in the way that seeing an alarm system can discourage potential intruders, seeing CCTV cameras can make thieves decide that it is best to move on to somewhere else in order to prevent the risk of getting caught or identified.
This applies to both commercial and residential properties and cameras should be placed in potentially vulnerable access points such as doors, conservatories, windows and garages to help make them as effective as possible.
Lower Insurance Costs
For both business premises and homeowners, most insurance companies will charge a relatively low premium if you have efficient security systems and CCTV in place.
By taking steps to ensure that your property is more secure reduces the likelihood of it being damaged or vandalised which in turn reduces the likelihood of you having to make claim, which allows the insurance company evaluating your policy to lower your costs.
In the event that a crime does occur, CCTV footage is reliable, tangible evidence that can support your insurance claim, helping to prove beyond a doubt the circumstances surrounding the break in, theft or damage caused.
Monitoring
CCTV allows you to monitor the perimeter and interior of your home or commercial property from the safety of inside the building or depending on the type of system from wherever you are using a mobile monitoring app.
They can be used in a number of ways to monitor your residential property. Some people use them as a peephole which works especially well for those that are vulnerable, the elderly or individuals that live alone to be able to check who is at the door without having to answer.
In a commercial setting they can be helpful for monitoring the behaviour of staff, not just in relation to theft but to encourage productivity and ensure they are doing what you are paying them for.
Helps to Identify Criminals
Whether the criminal failed to spot the camera or decided that they didn’t care about the CCTV, the footage they capture can provide vital evidence to police, helping to capture the offenders and bring them to justice.
In commercial scenarios, having internal CCTV cameras at points such as the tills can be especially useful in the event that staff or customer feuds need straightening out. With cameras in place, you will be able to observe the footage, review the evidence and help solve the conflict.
Peace of Mind
Everybody deserves to feel safe both at home and where they work. CCTV systems can provide people with a sense of security and reassurance, which is particularly important for those in areas where the crime rate is high.
Monitoring from your mobile or device allows you to keep a constant check on what is going on in or around the property, day or night, providing an instant sense of relief and acting like a comfort blanket, providing you with the peace of mind, safe in the knowledge that your property is being watched.
Cost Effective
Thanks to advances in technology, CCTV systems can be relatively cheap to have installed with various brands available on the market. Be sure to hire professional CCTV installers in Essex to take care of them for you and to ensure you get a good quality system in place that works effectively.
Once CCTV systems have been installed they are surprisingly easy to maintain and require very little upkeep. Giving them the occasional clean and annual maintenance check-up from a professional engineer should be enough to keep your CCTV system performing at its best for years to come.