CCTVs to deter crime: Do they really work?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics approximates that 238,100 homes were burglarised between 2019 and 2020. During the same period, 185,800 homeowners had signs of attempted break-ins.
If you’ve been the victim of a burglary in the past or want to add extra protection to your home, you may want to invest in a proper security system like a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system.
Video surveillance systems are said to deter thieves from breaking in effectively. Former burglars even say that security cameras and barking dogs are the best defence against theft and burglary.
Do security cameras prevent home burglaries?
Security cameras and systems have been proven to prevent burglaries. And even if thieves break in to ransack your home, their faces will be captured on camera, making it easy to identify them later.
Due to this risk, they are more likely to target properties where no surveillance cameras are visible.
The mere presence of an outdoor surveillance camera has proven to be a great deterrent, which is why some houses are equipped with fake security cameras.
However, we do not recommend relying solely on dummy cameras to secure your home. They may be effective against inexperienced burglars, but they are ineffective against experienced thieves.
Nevertheless, it is advisable to invest in a functioning video surveillance system. This way, you can identify the perpetrator in case of a burglary.
Do video surveillance systems reduce crime?
Since security cameras deter burglars, they greatly impact crime rates.
According to a study based on 40 years of evaluative research, video surveillance systems reduce crime rates significantly. In areas with security cameras, crime decreased by 13 percent compared to control areas.
The study also found that the crime-reducing effect of security cameras was most noticeable in parking garages, while residential areas came in second.
These figures prove that investing in video surveillance systems is worthwhile, whether you install them in your home or in a commercial space.
Moreover, CCTV security systems are beneficial for property owners and help make entire neighbourhoods safer, which in turn contributes to the peace of mind of residents.
Do CCTV cameras help you and your family feel safe?
Yes, one of the most obvious benefits of a CCTV security system is that it helps keep your family safe from intruders. You feel safe when you have a security system around you.
In many cases, the mere presence of a security system is enough to keep intruders away.
In cases where it does not deter a burglar, and your family is in the house, the system will alert you in time to get your family to a safe location. This can prevent potentially aggressive behaviour from the burglar.
Residential security cameras
Aside from deterring criminal activity, one of the biggest benefits of having functional security cameras for your home is lowering insurance premiums.
Some home insurance companies also offer discounts if you equip your home with security features like surveillance cameras, exterior lighting, and smoke detectors. These features make your home less vulnerable to criminal activity, so the company takes a lower risk when insuring you.
This means that part of the investment cost for CCTV installation comes in the form of savings on homeowners insurance.
Security cameras for commercial premises
Commercial CCTV cameras offer a lot of benefits. Not only do they prevent break-ins, but they also prevent vandalism and malicious property damage, which translates into savings on maintenance and repair costs.
Benefits offered by outdoor security cameras
Outdoor security cameras also allow you to track who enters and leaves the property. This way, you can easily spot suspicious people and immediately direct them out of the building if necessary.
In the event of a criminal act, you can also check and identify the people who have entered the building.
Benefits of indoor security cameras
Commercial properties also benefit from indoor CCTV cameras. They allow you to monitor the performance of your employees and ensure that everyone is doing their jobs. You can also use the cameras to ensure the safety of your employees.
You can see if they are following safety protocols and identify workplace hazards that increase the risk of accidents.
Improves your company’s reputation
Commercial video surveillance equipment can positively impact your reputation as a business.
Suppose you operate a facility where many people enter and exit daily. In that case, they will feel safer if you install security cameras in a location where they can be seen. The added security measure shows people that your business cares about the well-being of its customers.
Parking lots, restaurants, and retail stores are commercial properties that need security cameras.
Deep Learning Search… Search your video footage instantly
There’s a new trend in surveillance video search technology rapidly changing the security industry called Deep Learning.
What is meant by Deep Learning, and why is it so helpful?
First of all, Deep Learning allows you to find what you’re looking for without having to spend hours sifting through useless video footage. Imagine a web page that works much like a Google search, where you can describe the elements you’re looking for in the recorded video footage.
For example, if we want to see all the videos from today that feature a police car, we simply type “police” into the search window. Within seconds, every keyframe of video featuring a police car appears. Compared to how people used to search for videos by painstakingly digging through hours of recorded footage, this is simply magical.
Hacking… and tips to prevent hacking
Recently, the surveillance camera industry has been plagued by various hacks and security breaches discovered by security researchers and hackers alike. It is really embarrassing for security manufacturers to discover that an unauthorised individual has hacked and controlled their recording devices and cameras.
As a result, protecting CCTV security systems from network threats is the most important interest now.
The most recommended way to secure your CCTV security system is to use a VPN router/firewall, a type of computer that keeps out unwanted threats. These devices are becoming more and more standard when it comes to protecting networked devices of all kinds.
Qualtech Security, which installs camera systems, can recommend and implement security best practices.
How can security cameras be hidden?
Typically, cameras are recommended to be visible to intruders to prevent break-ins. However, it may be necessary to hide security cameras for specific reasons in certain locations.
There are various ways to hide security cameras. For example, they can be disguised as or in other everyday household items, blend into the surroundings, or be hidden entirely using miniaturised pinhole cameras or peepholes.
For the discreet installation of a CCTV camera, you can take the help of a professional team.
Are you allowed to install a CCTV camera on another person’s property in Australia?
The High Court of Australia has, from time to time, expressed that under Australian common law, there could be an offence of privacy.
Section 8 of the Australian Act makes it illegal for a person to install a CCTV camera on another person’s property without that person’s consent. However, the Qld Surveillance Devices Act 2007 does not prevent anyone from installing a CCTV camera on property they own or from recording activity on a neighbour’s property with the consent of the owner of that property.
Get Professional installation
To help you choose the excellent surveillance camera system for your needs, let Qualtech Security consult and install it for you.
Qualtech Security is the preferred home security company in Redlands and all suburbs south and east of the Brisbane CBD.
Qualtech Security has excelled in technical knowledge, customer service/aftercare and reputation.
