60% of employees fear theft and physical attack in the workplace

‘CCTV in the Workplace’ survey finds 60% ofemployees fear theft, physical attack and trespassers, increasing pressure on SMEs as government cuts funding to CCTV networks.

NG Bailey’s IT Services division, which specialises in the design, supply, installation, management and maintenance of IP CCTV solutions, has announced the findings of its ‘CCTV in the Workplace’ survey.

CCTV in the workplace

Although the government’s current CCTV network is outdated and hugely costly to local authorities, the views of the workers polled prove there is a real need for effective CCTV solutions:

• 63% worry about their personal security at work.
• 63% have experienced a security issue in the workplace such as violence, theft, unauthorised intrusion, fraud or any other illegal activity.

Unfortunately, the fears of the workers questioned reflect a worrying trend for UK businesses. In 2014, the Home Office reinforced the findings with results from a study of crimes against business, which found UK wholesale and retail premises had experienced 5.9 million crimes. And this is causing workers to demand improvements in their working environments and their CCTV systems:

• 60% of workers would feel more comfortable at work if they knew that there was an effective security system in place
• 68% of staff feel that their current workplace security system could be improved or is inadequate.

The challenge for small businesses

While the ‘CCTV in the Workplace’ survey uncovered some issues around safety and security, the new generation of IP-based CCTV solutions is moving beyond security as the sole purpose of the operation. And this was highlighted by respondents demanding more than crime-prevention from a CCTV system:

• 79% of employees want their security system to help their company run more efficiently.
• 82% felt sure that their CCTV system could help their company save money.

Robert Schwier, estate manager at The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn said, “Like many of the organisations in the ‘CCTV in the Workplace’ survey, our legacy CCTV system had focused on combating theft and protecting our historic, listed buildings. However, the decision to move to an IP-based CCTV system enabled us to install a future-proofed network that can also support upgrades to other building systems, dramatically reducing the impact of future installations and enabling our systems to work together intelligently, in ways that haven’t been possible before.”

Businesses that have relied on the government’s CCTV system now face a decision to buy and maintain their own CCTV system, partner with businesses in their area to create a network, or use an outsourced CCTV network provider. This means that, as well as having to find the cash, they may also need to acquire the skills to procure, install and maintain their systems. And for those organisations that choose not to replace or upgrade CCTV systems, a rise in insurance costs may follow.

The future of CCTV is now

Britain’s CCTV technology is evolving rapidly, from standalone analogue systems to those that are managed digitally, via an organisation’s IT network. This means CCTV can now integrate with the other systems that share the network, like swipe card access control and site-wide floodlighting, creating a centralised, coordinated and automated system that increases both the safety of personnel and the security of a site’s assets. As a result, businesses are seeing some serious benefits.

Sall concluded; “The fact that companies are being forced to extend their systems in response to the cutbacks in public sector CCTV may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Not only will these businesses be able to reassure a concerned British workforce, but many will find that their new networked systems will serve their businesses in ways they had not previously considered.”

Visit www.smarter-security.co.uk for more.