CCTV (closed-circuit television) has been used commercially since 1949, and it's come a long way since then. According to a report from CNBC, it was estimated that approximately 1 billion surveillance cameras were in use in 2021. There is no denying that CCTV is good at detecting and record-keeping; it's an excellent and well-rounded surveillance tool that can provide vital evidence when you need it most. But does it actually reduce crime?
The answer is yes - CCTV can be effective at reducing crime, depending on where and how it is used. According to one study, crime decreased by 13% in places with CCTV compared to places without it.
How does CCTV work to reduce crime?
This decrease is due to a number of factors, including:
- Increasing the actual risk of being caught
- Increasing the perceived risk of being caught
- Encouraging the public use of spaces, making it difficult for crime to take place unnoticed
- Hinting the risk of crime to the public, encouraging people to take extra precautions
- Reducing the opportunity for crime to take place
What felonies are more likely to be reduced by CCTV?
In one review, the College of Policing looked into the effectiveness of CCTV on different crime types. 6 studies revealed that drug-related crimes decreased by 20%, and 23 studies revealed that vehicle and property crime decreased by 14%.
In fact, these statistics may not be too far from home, either - Cambrian News reported that four new CCTV cameras will be placed in Aberystwyth 'as an intervention to mitigate issues including drug misuse and anti-social behaviour'.
What felonies are less likely to be reduced by CCTV?
Within the same study, it was identified that there was no statistically significant effect observed for violent crime (29 studies) or disorder (6 studies). So, why could this be?
This could be due to the fact that violent offenders may be more likely to seek areas with poor CCTV coverage, or they may be more likely to take extra precautions against getting caught due to the violent nature of the crime.
Where does CCTV work best?
CCTV is most effective where good coverage can be ensured - areas such as car parks and train stations are confined spaces where CCTV can reach nearly 100% coverage. It's even more effective if CCTV is used in an area where there are no blind spots for criminals to exploit.
If you have trained staff monitoring your CCTV cameras, this can reduce crime by an additional 15% compared to using CCTV without monitoring.
In conjunction with other security measures such as lighting, physical deterrents such as fencing, and video/audio surveillance, crime rates can potentially be reduced by a staggering 34%.
Could you benefit from a CCTV system?
Our CCTV systems include:
- PTZ cameras
- IP cameras and surveillance
- External CCTV Detection Units
- Digital video recording and network video recording
- Hard drive recorders
From conventional CCTV cameras to digital IP cameras, we can assist you in getting the most appropriate CCTV security system for your premises.
If you would like to discuss the best option for your property or business, contact us for a no-obligation quote below. Not sure what would be best for you? No problem - just fill out our security survey and we'll be in touch to recommend the best solution for your requirements.
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