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| CCTV.co.uk is convinced that installation and maintenance of security cameras is an investment that will pay for itself |
The installation of CCTV cameras should be mandatory in all new domestic and commercial premises, says a leading British security company. Just like pro-active care initiatives in the NHS – deterring crime before it happens will lead to huge savings for the Police long-term.
Fitting CCTV in homes and businesses as standard will virtually pay for itself as the cost of Policing will fall – that's the view of CCTV.co.uk which is spearheading the campaign.
Expertly fitted and maintained camera systems are a proven deterrent for criminals, so whole estates and industrial areas with camera coverage will become virtual no-go areas for thieves, saving up to £5,000 per incident, the company claims.
"Most importantly it'll also bring down the fear of crime among householders and business owners", said company spokesman Jonathan Ratcliffe, "Fear of crime is one of the issues that blight communities across the nation, and reliable camera systems restore confidence."
- According to the Home Office, there were 9.4 million crimes against businesses in England and Wales last year, with over 3.4million of these involving thefts.
- Businesses reported 15,500 incidents of crime per 1,000 premises in urban areas, showing that criminals hit properties again and again
- Three quarters of premises were hit despite having burglar alarms and other non-camera measures installed.
- The average cost of a theft is £1,000 per incident, rising to £5,000 if a vehicle is involved
"These are just the crimes that are reported," Ratcliffe said. "We're told over and over again by new clients that they eventually gave up reporting crime as nothing seemed to be done about it without the strong evidence that CCTV cameras provide."
Further figures from the Home Office show low detection rates for crimes against property.
- In England and Wales in the last year only 17.6% of reported thefts were solved
- Criminal damage and arson detection rates were even lower at 16.1%.
"It's clear that crimes against property are the most difficult for the police to solve, and they rarely expend energy and tighter budgets chasing crimes where there's inadequate evidence," said Ratcliffe.
"That's why we're pressing for mandatory CCTV cameras in newly-built premises, as this immediately ups the available court-approved evidence available to police."
CCTV.co.uk is convinced that the installation and maintenance of security cameras on all new businesses and homes is an investment that will pay for itself several times over.
"Crime against property is at epidemic levels in this country," said Ratcliffe, "CCTV cameras will help push detection levels up, deter thieves, and push insurance premiums down. Everybody wins, unless you're a criminal."
