29 Jan New CCTV link adding greater security to Hammersmith town centre launched
Hammersmith Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with the Broadway Centre have successfully launched a vital upgrade to the town centre’s CCTV network.
The newly installed ‘CCTV Patch’ allows the CCTV systems serving the Broadway Shopping Centre and the surrounding area to link directly to the Metropolitan Police command and control centre – adding greater security and improving crime prevention.
Under their SaferTown model, the BID is committed to make Hammersmith a more attractive and safer location to work, shop, socialise and invest in.
They already fund two additional police officers that offer high visibility community reassurance by patrolling the High Street and shopping malls on a daily basis. The officers are supported by a dedicated BID funded CCTV operator and a vigilant corporate security presence that connects the business community via the BID SafetyNet radio airwaves.
Now, to improve the safety and security across Hammersmith town centre further, the BID and Broadway Centre are jointly funding this ambitious project that will enable the Metropolitan Police to have direct access to the CCTV systems of the Broadway Transportation Hub and Shopping Centre via the local authority’s CCTV network.
To complement this, the centre has also invested heavily in upgrading their own extensive CCTV coverage for the benefit of their numerous businesses, customers and commuters that use the centre on a daily basis. Their £250,000 upgrade has provided them with a state-of-the art CCTV Control Room and camera systems that will operate seamlessly with the new police CCTV link.
The need for this CCTV fibre link was identified early last year after the BID implemented a comprehensive ISO31000 compliant Security Risk Analysis (SRA) programme in the Hammersmith town centre area – a UK first in urban risk management.
Despite initial funding obstacles, Hammersmith BID drove ahead with a full feasibility study and submitted a business case to its board of directors. The required private-sector funding was secured in September 2018 and the live CCTV link is now in use and fully operational.
Enhancing the significant safety improvements rolled out across the town centre during 2018, the BID has also introduced and funded the use of body worn cameras by all Broadway security personnel.
These new upgrades will bring huge benefits to Hammersmith Town Centre, including:
- Assisting CCTV operators in the early detection of counter terrorism related hostile reconnaissance.
- Alleviating threats of a terrorist attack by assisting the emergency services to coordinate and manage associated risks through live CCTV coverage and control access.
- Enabling the Metropolitan Police to effectively manage events declared a ‘critical incident’ (stabbing, murder etc.) or a ‘major emergency’ (fire, flood, gas, building collapse, etc.)
- Supporting the BID funded LBHF CCTV operator in the proactive monitoring of crime and anti-social behavior.
- Enabling the BID funded police team to act on fast-time incidents and intelligence.
- Reducing criminal offences and anti-social behaviour in and around the Broadway Centre.
- Assisting in the identification, apprehension, evidence gathering and successful prosecution of offenders involved in criminality.
- Enhancing public safety and delivering community reassurance.
- Contributing towards a higher level of security vigilance and will also complement the Hammersmith Security Group support structure.
Gordon Brockie, Operations Manager, HammersmithBID, said: “Our security risk analysis programme is a UK first in urban risk management and the BID are really pleased to be working in partnership with the Broadway Centre, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham and the Metropolitan Police to deliver this CCTV project for the benefit and security of everyone that passes through the centre.”
Mark Adedeji, Contracts Security Manager, Hammersmith & Fulham Broadway Shopping Centres, said: “The new CCTV system links with the Hammersmith CCTV Control room and the Metropolitan Police will help to integrate technology alongside our joint agency effort towards keeping our valuable tenants safe. The sharing of information between the Centre, the Council and the Metropolitan Police will help to increase evidential value of CCTV evidence and also work in the best interest of our tenants alongside the benefits of wider public safety within the local community.”
Chief Inspector Patrick Holdaway, Operational Lead for the NBCC said “This is a fantastic example of multiple private businesses and public bodies working closely together to protect the wider public. The NBCC exists to share examples of good practice so that others can benefit from the experience.”
Sergeant Chet Beresford, Business Crime Reduction Hub, Metropolitan Police Service, said: “This new CCTV link gives police a direct link to the Broadway shopping centre and its immediate area and is an excellent example of how businesses, private security and police are working together to tackle crime and improve the safety and security for the business community and the public.”