If you install a poor system then the answer is probably “very little”. You should have a very clear idea of what you want your system to do and how it should perform. This should be based on your own premises, its layout, and the specific problems you want to address. The mere visible presence of a CCTV camera is unlikely to assist your fight against crime in your business. It is the action that can be taken as a result of your system that is all important, whether that be at the time of an incident or afterwards. Performance has to be „designed in‟ and cannot be taken for granted. CCTV needs to be of a high enough quality to ensure these elements actually work. It doesn‟t necessarily have to cost a fortune – it just needs to be well thought out.
Crime detection
CCTV is an electronic witness that can assist in proving guilt, innocence and association. It plays a significant part in many investigations by the police. There are two critical elements within the investigative process – the identification of suspects and the capture of events.
Staff and public safety
The use of CCTV for the safety of users of your business is important. Often this requires some form of live time monitoring of the cameras to enable an early intervention by an appropriate person in an incident such as an assault or a violent shoplifter.
Crime reduction
The reduction of crime is inextricably linked to the ability to detect and prosecute offenders. The potential reduction strategy is therefore based on the threat of being caught. This preventative benefit relies on knowledge by the public of the presence of cameras and also their effectiveness. Clearly people cannot be deterred from committing crime if they don‟t know they are being watched.
Business management
Some CCTV has an important part to play in the management of a store, e.g. seeing the arrival of a delivery lorry. This will probably mean however, that the same camera cannot be expected to be capable of identifying persons committing crime. In simple terms don‟t install a camera for one purpose and expect to use it for another because you and the police are likely to be disappointed.
