Richie McBride

Co-op, a large consumer co-operative in the UK and one of the largest retailers in the country, is rolling out an integrated body-worn video solution from Motorola Solutions to front-line colleagues, with a focus on further increasing safety in-store against a background of rising retail crime in the industry. The Co-op has seen in-store crime increase by more than 140% year-on-year, despite communities recognising the critical role played by retail workers in society - true frontline workers in the days of a global pandemic. The number of violent incidents also hit record levels with 1,350 attacks having been experienced by Co-op shop workers in the first six months of 2020. Keeping colleagues safe The retailer warns of a crime and violence epidemic and its targeted deployment of a body-worn video solution forms part of an ongoing commitment to invest a further £70M over the next three years in innovative technology to keep colleagues safe. Co-op will equip front-line staff with more than 1,000 Motorola Solutions VT100 body-worn cameras in around 250 stores initially, with the ability to stream video in real-time to the Security Operations Centre of Co-op security partner, Mitie. The footage is used to identify criminals and provide evidence to secure prosecution. The VT100 body-worn camera from Motorola Solutions can be worn in standby mode for up to six months, preserving battery for instances when Co-op store colleagues feel threatened by aggressive or violent behaviour. The cameras are operated by a simple one-push activation, instantly recording footage to the camera itself, and streaming live video to the security operations centre, allowing for a quick response from security personnel or police. Cloud-based software The cameras are supported by cloud-hosted VideoManager software The cameras are supported by cloud-hosted VideoManager software, which enables secure and efficient camera allocation, user administration and incident management. With security features such as comprehensive audit-trails, encryption, configurable retention policies and RFID camera allocation, this integrated solution ensures footage and incidents are dealt with efficiently and securely. As part of its Safer Colleagues, Safer Communities campaign, Co-op is also building awareness and support for MP Alex Norris’ “Assault on Shop Workers Bill” which has now seen its second reading in Parliament postponed until September. The Bill states that because shop workers have responsibilities to uphold the law on age-restricted products they should be afforded greater protection in carrying out those public duties. Retail crime A knife was the most commonly used weapon (43%) with axes, hammers and syringes also used to attack In its 2020 Crime Report, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) found that a quarter of violent incidents resulted in injury, with a weapon used in almost 20% of occurrences. A knife was the most commonly used weapon (43%) with axes, hammers and syringes also used to attack or threaten shop workers. In 2019, Co-op funded research into retail crime, with the hard-hitting findings reporting that shop workers were showing signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Co-op has committed a further £70M over the next three years in innovative technology to keep colleagues safer, it has introduced SmartWater Fog Cannons, the latest remote monitored iCCTV, body cameras and, communication headsets for all frontline colleagues. Protection for shop workers Cheryl Houghton, Co-op Retail Security Manager, said, “Shop workers play an essential role serving communities, yet they have to contend with unprecedented levels of violence and abuse on a daily basis. As a community retailer we see the impact of social issues in our stores. I have never seen such high levels of violence and abuse, it’s a societal issue that all retailers are concerned about and it’s having lasting effects on the lives of shop workers - both mentally and physically. It is not part of the job to be verbally abused, threatened or attacked and we’re determined to make sure it isn’t. Calling for greater protection for shop workers carrying out public duties and for the root causes of crime in communities to be addressed.” Body-worn videos in commercial organisations Richie McBride, Director of Business Operations, Video & Analytics at Motorola Solutions UK, said, “Body-worn video is becoming a critical element in commercial organisations’ strategy to keep their employees safe. As a company focused on mission-critical solutions, we provide our commercial customers with the right tools to help them enhance their operational efficiency, responsiveness and safety. We are proud to partner with one of the UK’s largest retailers in its work to further improve the shopping experience and enhance safety for both shoppers and staff.”

Body Worn Cameras (BWCs) are transforming policing and security around the globe, helping to create new connected officers who can stream video, access information and collaborate in real-time enabling them to operate safely and more efficiently in the field. Richie McBride, Managing Director of BWC experts Edesix, says "BWCs are now built for a connected world and are being used by officers on the front line to help prevent both criminal and anti-social behaviour when out on patrol.” Importance of body worn cameras in policing Innovative solutions driving creation of connected officers who can stream and access information in real-time He adds, "Technology has transformed policing and security in recent years. New innovative solutions have driven the creation of new connected officers who can stream, access information and collaborate in real-time. BWC captured footage not only provides greater transparency of interactions with the public, but also significantly increases early guilty pleas and saves officers valuable time as they often do not need to attend court”. Richie further said, "Police officers have always been connected, either to the public and communities they serve, or with their colleagues on the street and in the control room. They have shared information and generated insights to help address common problems and protect those with common vulnerabilities. However, digital technology has now enhanced these connections, enabling officers to feel more empowered, supported and secure." VideoBadges enhance police personnel VideoBadges have been utilised by police forces across the UK for some time now. Police forces, such as the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), have utilised our BWCs since 2016 to enhance the security of both officers and the general public, and to improve training and best practice. There are now 2,500 cameras being used by over 7,000 officers covering approximately 173,000 incidents each year in Northern Ireland. The BWCs are being utilised by Local Policing Teams, Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Tactical Support Groups, Roads Policing Units, Dog Section, District Support Teams and Armed Response Units. Importance of good video evidence Body Worn Video has the potential to improve the quality of evidence provided by police officers" PSNI Superintendent David Moore adds, "Video evidence puts the victims of crime first. The pilot of this technology in Foyle district demonstrated how Body Worn Video has the potential to improve the quality of evidence provided by police officers and thereby increase the number of offenders brought to justice. Video evidence provides a compelling account of events and enables the raw emotion and action from a scene to be replayed in the courts in a manner that could never be captured in a witness statement.” He adds, "It also supports accountability and transparency, both of which are key elements in increasing public confidence in policing. The introduction of this new technology is the latest example of our commitment to these principles as we continue to work together with the community to keep people safe." Head-mounted cameras Armed response and firearms teams are also being equipped with head-mounted cameras due to the fact that chest-mounted cameras could potentially obstruct an officer's view during firearms use. The Metropolitan Police recently began rolling-out 1000 head-mounted cameras, with West Yorkshire Police and North Wales Police following suit.

Edesix, global provider of Body Worn Cameras (BWC), has announced that it will be launching its latest VideoBadge, the VB-400, at IFSEC 2019. VideoBadge VB-400 BWC The VB-400 will be predominantly aimed at the policing and security sectors, where officers on the front line utilise BWCs to help prevent both criminal and anti-social behaviour when out on patrol. Additionally, the captured footage not only provides greater transparency of interactions with the public, but also significantly increases early guilty pleas when used in a prosecution. This latest Body Worn Camera from Edesix has been designed to be a simple, unobtrusive addition to any uniform This latest Body Worn Camera from Edesix has been designed to be a simple, unobtrusive addition to any uniform. The VB-400 has a market-leading IP67 ingress protection rating and delivers full 1080p HD recording capabilities to capture evidence-quality footage, Bluetooth sensor monitoring, and built-in GPS functionality which will greatly simplify camera asset management across large estates. Other features include a full-shift battery life, Wi-Fi streaming, 120 degree horizontal field of view and haptic and audio feedback alerts to show when recording has been activated. BWCs revolutionise security, policing “The use of BWCs is revolutionising policing and security around the globe, and the launch of our new VB-400 is going to take this protection to the next level,” explains Richie McBride, managing director of Edesix. “Our next generation VB-400 has been built for the connected world, and provides real-time GPS functionality, streaming and the ability to seamlessly interface with its environment." Bluetooth sensor monitoring "The VB-400’s new Bluetooth sensor monitoring also enables hands-free incident recording. All these new features have been designed to assist the connected officer, and undoubtedly means it is the #1 Body Worn Camera for policing and security.” Edesix will be showcasing its new VB-400 at this year’s IFSEC.

Edesix, UK-based provider of Body Worn Cameras, will be joined by Vigilant Solutions to showcase its new Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology at Parkex 2019, in addition to Edesix's renowned Wearable Camera solutions. Also part of the Motorola Solutions group, Vigilant Solutions has been supplying automated number plate recognition cameras and software to law enforcement for more than 10 years to locate vehicles of interest and solve crimes faster. These cameras and software are now available to parking agencies—providing a cost-effective enforcement solution. Assist parking agencies ANPR technology can assist parking agencies in discovering vehicles in violation, to collect outstanding fines, more efficiently enforce paid and permit parking spots, or take other appropriate actions. Vigilant Solutions ANPR expert from the US Alex Tallentire, will be at the Edesix stand to demonstrate the latest technology in this field. Edesix Body Worn Cameras, such as the VideoBadge VB-300 series, have been deployed by UK-based parking agencies for a number of years now Edesix Body Worn Cameras, such as the VideoBadge VB-300 series, have been deployed by UK-based parking agencies for a number of years now. Front line parking staff such as civil enforcement officers (CEOs) are often subjected to verbal and even physical abuse, so ensuring these patrol officers remain safe has been a priority of councils and their contractors. Validate parking fines The use of Body Worn Cameras is a proven way to deter aggression whilst capturing evidence which can be used in court. BWC's can also be utilised to validate parking fines and quash complaints or false claims. Richie McBride, managing director of Edesix, explains: “The use of Body Worn Cameras is a proven way of tackling the growing problem of abusive behaviour in the parking sector. BWC's reduce the number of false allegations against enforcement officers and instances of aggression and violence, helping those doing a difficult job feel safer and more protected, particularly when working alone. Should an assault occur, the video and audio recording can provide evidence of abuse and attacks that can be used to prosecute offenders. Footage can also prove or disprove allegations made about misconduct by patrol officers.”

Edesix, UK-based provider of Body Worn Cameras, announces a partnership with Environment Agency enforcement teams in the East Midlands following a successful six-month trial. The trial, which was commissioned after a growing number of abusive incidents during site inspections to waste sites, found that wearing Body Worn Cameras helped to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour, assaults and threats against Environment Agency staff. Abusive behaviour Footage captured on a bodycam in the North-East was recently used by the Environment Agency for the first time to convict an offender Enforcement officers throughout the East Midlands will now be equipped with Edesix VideoBadges on their visits. The cameras will also be used by fisheries enforcement officers during their routine activities. Footage captured on a bodycam in the North-East was recently used by the Environment Agency for the first time to convict an offender. The defendant pleaded ‘guilty' of wilfully obstructing the officers in the execution of their duty and using abusive behaviour towards two officers when he knew they had video evidence. "The safety of our staff is paramount," explains Pete Haslock, Enforcement Team Leader for the Environment Agency in the East Midlands. Prevent threatening situations He further added, "They are well trained in dealing with hostile situations and we take any threat against them very seriously. Our preference is to prevent hostility in the first place and wearing the cameras can prevent threatening situations from escalating. We want to get on with our jobs without the threat of violence and the cameras will help to protect staff and bring obstructive individuals to justice.” Officers will switch on the cameras if and when they enter a hostile situation or where hostility may be anticipated" “Officers will switch on the cameras if and when they enter a hostile situation or where hostility may be anticipated. That could be a site where they have experienced aggressive behaviour in the past or an unknown quantity, such as on a remote river bank." Richie McBride, managing director of Edesix, added: "This is another great example of a new market which can utilise Body Worn Cameras to improve security and functionality." Recent success Edesix, which was recently acquired by US-based security specialists Vigilant Solutions, has enjoyed a great deal of success lately, ranging from winning some major contracts with the likes of UK prisons, Scotrail and South Australian Police, to being named in the Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100 league table. Edesix currently supplies markets across the globe, through direct sales and international partners, to geographies including the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, the Middle East and Australasia.

Edesix, a provider of Body Worn Cameras (BWC), announces that it has teamed up with retailer Asda to enhance in-store security. After a successful trial, which began in 2016, there are now over 900 Edesix VideoBadges being utilised in over 250 sites nationwide, with more growth expected in the near future. Edesix collaborated with CBES, Asda's preferred security installer, to design and install a tailored wearable CCTV deployment system perfectly suited to the retail giant's needs. Edesix and CBES worked closely at Asda's national security centre and across four store deployments to provide them with the knowledge and expertise so the cameras could be rolled out in the remaining stores with minimum impact on store efficiency. Improved colleague security Asda has been able to improve colleague security, diffuse aggressive and volatile situations and reduce valued investigation time This system, which is intuitive to use and requires minimum training, has enabled staff to integrate the cameras into their daily working processes with minimal fuss. As a result of this partnering strategy, which relied on both the innovative nature of Edesix's technology and communication between all parties, Asda has been able to improve colleague security, diffuse aggressive and volatile situations and reduce valued investigation time, thus reducing costs. Since the deployment, Asda has proven the viability of these cameras by securing numerous convictions relating to theft and violence against staff. Confrontation preventer Richie McBride, managing director of Edesix, explains: "Asda, along with CBES, identified the need to re-think its key security policy around challenging aggressive behaviour towards staff. In searching for a technology partner, CBES chose Edesix as their BWC provider, to deploy initially to the most affected stores, eventually rolling out to over 250 sites across the UK. The aim was to improve the safety of colleagues in public facing roles and shoppers within the stores, whilst producing compelling evidence when needed." The Body Worn Cameras act as a confrontation preventer, as it is proven that members of the public are far less aggressive to staff members" McBride adds: "The Body Worn Cameras act as a confrontation preventer, as it is proven that members of the public are far less aggressive to staff members if they know they are being filmed." Winning major contracts Edesix, which was recently acquired by US-based security specialists Vigilant Solutions, has enjoyed a great deal of success lately, ranging from winning some major contracts with the likes of UK prisons, Scotrail and South Australian Police, to being named in the Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100 league table. Edesix currently supplies markets across the globe, through direct sales and international partners, to geographies including the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, the Middle East and Australasia.

The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) is the first Ambulance Service to trial body worn video cameras in a scheme that launches this week. Approximately 40 of the Trust’s frontline staff will be trying out the use of body cameras in a bid to offer them greater support against the rise of incidents of violence and aggression. Alan Gallagher, Head of Risk, said: “The health, safety and welfare of our staff are of utmost importance. We want to take every precaution possible to ensure that our employees are safe whilst at work.” NEAS staff adorn body worn cameras “Our staff are reporting more incidents of this nature and we are working closely with the police and other partners to respond to those perpetrators with warning letters and, where necessary, criminal action. From previous reports, we know that most of these circumstances happen away from CCTV covered areas so using body worn video cameras will mean that our staff can record evidence of abuse or assaults when they happen, such as when they are in a residential property attending to a patient." We will continue to work on measures to reduce assaults and liaise with police colleagues" "This move is designed to help us bring more prosecutions against people who put our staff at risk and reduce the assaults and abuse they are currently facing in the line of their work. There really is nothing more disheartening than being hurt by someone that you’ve gone to help, particularly when they already work in such challenging circumstances.” Fighting crime “We will continue to work on measures to reduce assaults and liaise with police colleagues to ensure action is taken following any criminal acts against staff or the Trust. We encourage all valuable NHS colleagues not to tolerate such behaviour.” The number of reported physical assaults on NEAS staff has increased by 23% compared to last year. The numbers of addresses across the North East flagged for the potential caution or violence has also increased. This sits against a backdrop of more than 350 prosecutions that have been brought for attacks on ambulance staff over the last year nationally. The scale of the problem is believed to be much greater. Emergency workers’ safety This follows a new law that was recently introduced, the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill, in which individuals who assault, or attack emergency workers will face longer jail terms if found guilty. The Bill was designed to recognise the debt of gratitude the public feels towards emergency services, and for the courage, commitment and dedication they show every day in carrying out their duties. Footage will be admissible as evidence in the court of law utilising Edesix VideoManager software platform Mr. Gallagher continued, “We welcome anything that will help to deter people from abusing or assaulting our staff and we hope that by reporting incidents and providing credible evidence where we can, courts might be able to be much tougher when sentencing those found guilty of assaulting and threatening our staff, prosecuting those people to the full extent of the law.” Edesix VideoManager software Footage obtained in the event of an assault or abuse will be admissible as evidence in the court of law utilising the features available in the Edesix VideoManager software platform. It will only be used for the purposes of providing evidence to the Police in any enquiry intended for the health, safety and protection of staff. The tamper proof cameras, software and support for the three-month trial have been provided free by Edesix. Richie McBride, Chief Executive Officer of Edesix commented, "We're pleased to provide the North East Ambulance Service with our cameras to enhance the protection of staff and to deter any aggressive behaviour towards NEAS workers."

Vigilant Solutions - an AI and data analytics company that provides technology to public safety - announced it has entered the body worn camera market by acquiring Edesix Ltd, a global provider of wearable security hardware and software, and the United Kingdom's number one manufacturer of body worn cameras. The acquisition strengthens Vigilant's position as a market leader in image capture solutions by adding body worn camera images via hardware and software and in-car camera technology to its existing suite of automated license plate recognition (ALPR), facial recognition, ballistics analysis and gun crime mapping hardware and software solutions. Expanding public safety customer base This acquisition puts Vigilant in the position to offer public safety a full suite of image capture solutions including the ability to integrate our suite of technologies with in-car cameras""Vigilant Solutions is excited to enter the body worn and in-car camera markets," said Shawn Smith, Founder and President of Vigilant Solutions. "This acquisition puts Vigilant in the position to offer public safety a full suite of image capture solutions - both in the U.S. and internationally - including the ability to integrate our suite of technologies with in-car cameras. Edesix has a strong global footprint, which includes more than 20,000 body camera deployments across several industries and five continents. This acquisition allows us to continue to build Vigilant's global brand. In addition, Edesix also enhances Vigilant's hardware and software engineering capabilities." With the acquisition of Edesix, Vigilant is not only entering the body worn and in-car camera markets but is also expanding its presence beyond its traditional public safety customer base and will serve a broad range of commercial industries. Video evidence management system Body worn camera and in-car camera footage obtained via Vigilant's hardware, is stored in VideoManager, a robust video evidence management system. VideoManager is a component of Vigilant's cloud-based investigative platform, which includes image capture data and analytics for ALPR, facial recognition, ballistics and gun crime mapping. "The Edesix team is thrilled with the acquisition by Vigilant Solutions, which has been at the forefront of machine vision and machine learning technology innovation in the public safety community for years," said Richie McBride, CEO of Edesix. "The combination of Vigilant's image analytics solutions and our body worn and in-car camera products is truly exciting. When you consider that our solutions seamlessly integrate into Vigilant's investigative platform, the global public safety community has some incredibly powerful tools to keep them and their communities safe."

Edesix has entered at number 64 in the 18th annual Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100 league table, which ranks Britain's 100 private tech (TMT) companies with the fastest-growing sales over the last three years. It is compiled by Fast Track and published in The Sunday Times each September, with an awards dinner in November, and alumni dinners during the year. Impressive safety & security solutions Edesix has enjoyed a very successful last 18 months, where it has won some impressive new contracts with UK prisons, Scotrail and South Australian Police, and launched several new products, including the VideoTag Series, its smallest most light-weight BWCs to date, the X-100 (head mounted) and X-200 (torso mounted) cameras and ONStream which integrates Edesix body worn cameras with existing CCTV video management systems. Police officers, paramedics and bailiffs in countries as far afield as Peru and New Zealand can be found wearing Edesix body worn cameras Edesix has also opened new offices in both the USA and the Middle East. Police officers, paramedics and bailiffs in countries as far afield as Peru and New Zealand can be found wearing the company's body worn cameras which help improve safety for workers in public facing roles as well as providing video evidence. Developments in body worn camera "This is fantastic news for us and a great testament to all the hard work that has been put in over the last few years to grow the business both here in the UK and overseas," explains Richie McBride, Managing Director of Edesix. "There have been huge developments in the body worn camera market in recent years, and we are determined to keep our place as market leader by continuing to innovate, listening to what customers want and keep moving into new target markets. We now have a presence in the USA, Middle East, Europe, Canada, and Australasia, and we will continue to expand in the coming years."

Edesix recently won the contract to supply body worn cameras to Staffordshire Fire and Rescue. The Edinburgh-based BWC expert already works with West Midlands Fire Service, as well as other Emergency Services departments throughout the UK. The use of Body Worn Cameras for protecting staff, enhancing training and identifying best practice is fast becoming fundamental within fire services throughout the UK. Enhancing incident decision making Neil Gordon of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue publicly commented: “The introduction of body worn video is solely for the development of our service, enhancing our already high standard incident decision making to protect life and property.” Wearable cameras are becoming a key piece of equipment for fire services due to their functionality in highlighting and improving processes, evaluating protocol, improving best practice and also for handling matters of incidents, insurance claims and complaints. Preserving confidentiality of CCTV footage Richie McBride, managing director of Edesix explains: "Our VideoBadge range of BWCs are worn by fire and rescue servicemen to audit and improve response performance. VideoBadges are equipped with a range of security features to preserve the confidentiality of any sensitive footage, even if the device is lost, stolen or damaged. VideoBadges are unobtrusive, lightweight and can be fixed to uniforms and helmets, using a variety of mounting options." Edesix became one of the first BWC providers to supply fire services in the UK In 2016, Edesix became one of the first BWC providers to supply fire services in the UK when it won the contract to supply fire-fighters in the West Midlands with VideoBadges. Assisting firefighters and incident commanders Watch Commanders attending call outs throughout the West Midlands are now equipped with VideoBadges to help share best practice techniques and complement firefighter training, ultimately improving the service's operations well into the future. Gemma McSweeney, Watch Commander, West Midlands Fire Service, comments: "We're committed to operational excellence and providing the best possible response and service to the communities of the West Midlands. These cameras will play a key role in helping our firefighters and incident commanders be the best they can be."

Edesix, provider of the provision of Body Worn Cameras (BWC), has opened an office in the USA. Edesix's new US base is in New Jersey and will house both US and UK staff. The UK-based wearable camera expert is primarily focused on supporting its new Video Management Systems (VMS) integration and associated partners in the US. Edesix recently launched ONStream which enables seamless Body Worn Camera integration with existing Video Management Systems (VMS) traditionally used for viewing footage from fixed IP cameras. This new software enables ONVIF compliant VMSs to be compatible with wearable cameras. Cameras integrate seamlessly with VideoManager and leading CCTV Video Management Systems, meaning captured footage can be instantly shared and viewed by security staff. By integrating wearable cameras, it gives security teams the ability to view unparalleled detail of incidents as they unfold"Unified security and monitoring system "The US is a key target market for us, and as such we felt we needed a full-time presence there," explains Richie McBride, managing director of Edesix. "Our main US focus will be on promoting our current VMS integrated solutions, along with associated partners. One of the most important recent innovations from Edesix has been the ability to integrate the cameras with existing VMSs, enabling organisations to unify a site's security and monitoring system, and create mobile and first-person viewpoints and add contextual detail to footage. Recording live streams for evidence "Fixed security cameras connected to a VMS are a powerful tool for monitoring and securing many different environments, from retail floors to distribution centres. By integrating wearable cameras, it gives security teams the ability to view unparalleled detail of incidents as they unfold. Our software furthers the potential of a VMS, protects valued staff, and captures concrete and secure footage for future review. “It enables immediate response by control rooms and later review by supervisors. It also means live streams can be recorded as evidence, which can then be securely shared with third parties, including the police. The service is fully encrypted with audit trails to protect the evidential quality of footage stored." Edesix recently opened a new office in the Middle East, where it already supplies VideoBadges to the Abu Dhabi police force Global supplier of body worn cameras McBride adds: "The US body worn camera market is primarily dominated by law enforcement. We hope that having a full-time presence there can facilitate a change in this, as we see huge US potential in other sectors such as construction, parking, transport, retail and the emergency services." Edesix recently opened a new office in the Middle East, where it already supplies VideoBadges to the Abu Dhabi police force. Edesix also supplies other key markets across the globe, through direct sales and international partners, to geographies including the UK, Europe, Canada, and Australasia.

Edesix, providers of Body Worn Cameras (BWC), will be showcasing its integration to leading Video Management Service (VMS) platforms at IFSEC 2018. VideoManager software ONStream integrates Edesix's VideoManager software with existing VMS, traditionally used to showcase fixed IP camera footage. This software enables ONVIF compliant VMSs to display Body Worn Camera footage, allowing live feeds from wearable cameras to appear alongside CCTV footage, meaning captured video can be instantly shared and viewed by security staff. "Body Worn Cameras have been proven to help improve the safety of those in public facing roles, whilst producing compelling legal evidence when needed," explains Richie McBride, managing director of Edesix. Body Worn Cameras Fixed security cameras connected to a VMS are a powerful tool for monitoring and securing many different environments, from retail floors to distribution centres" "One of the most important recent innovations in the BWC market has been the ability to integrate the cameras with existing VMSs, enabling organisations to unify a site's security and monitoring system, and create mobile and first-person viewpoints whilst adding contextual detail to footage.” "Fixed security cameras connected to a VMS are a powerful tool for monitoring and securing many different environments, from retail floors to distribution centres. This gives security teams the ability to view unparalleled detail of incidents as they unfold. The software furthers the potential of your VMS, protects valued staff, and captures concrete and secure footage for future review. It enables immediate response by security teams and offers reliable footage for later review by supervisors. It also means live streams can be recorded as evidence, which can then be securely shared with third parties, including the police. The service is fully encrypted with audit trails to protect the evidential quality of footage stored." VideoTag VT-100 Edesix will also be showcasing its new and improved VideoTag VT-100 camera, where the incident recorder meets the Body Worn Camera. The VT-100 is a recording device specifically designed to meet the needs of retailers, lone workers and other public facing businesses. It is similar to the VT-50 incident recorder, which was launched at IFSEC 2017, but with the benefits of greater durability and a longer battery life. The VT-100 has been proven to deter aggression, protect staff and provide secure evidential-quality footage on demand The VT-100 has been proven to deter aggression, protect staff and provide secure evidential-quality footage on demand. It is robust and weatherproof, while remaining lightweight, unobtrusive, cost-effective and easy to use. The VT-100 can record up to four hours of continuous footage, requires no extra training, streams live footage if required, and has a standby battery-life of up to six months, meaning users don't need to worry about charging the device often. McBride comments: "We are delighted to announce the launch of the VideoTag VT-100. The beauty of this product is that it bridges the gap between the smaller incident recorder and the more powerful Body Worn Camera. The VT-100 will allow staff in public-facing roles, who are not always part of the security team, to create a safer working environment for themselves and their colleagues. It offers a cost-effective, secure and practical approach to wearable security for incident recording and workflow management."

Edesix, a global provider of Body Worn Camera solutions, is delighted to announce the launch of its new VideoTag VT-100 - where the incident recorder meets the body worn camera. The VT-100 is recording device specifically designed to meet the needs of retailers, lone workers and other public facing businesses. It is similar to the VT-50 incident recorder, but with the benefits of more durability and longer battery life. The VT-100 is proven to deter aggression, protect staff and provide secure evidential-quality footage on demand. It is robust and weatherproof, while remaining lightweight, unobtrusive, cost-effective and easy to use. The VT-100 can record up to four hours of continuous footage, requires no extra training, streams live footage, and has a standby battery-life of up to three months, meaning users don't need to worry about charging the device often. The VT-100 offers a cost-effective, secure and practical approach to wearable security for incident recording and workflow management" Incident recorders and body worn cameras The VT-100 also provides complementary audio and video capture of incidents when utilised as part of a larger Body Worn Camera and CCTV security function. Richie McBride, CEO of Edesix commented: "We are delighted to announce the launch of our new VideoTag VT-100. The beauty of this product is that it bridges the gap between the smaller incident recorder and the more powerful Body Worn Camera. McBride adds: "The VT-100 will allow staff in public-facing roles, who are not always part of the security team, to create a safer working environment for themselves and their colleagues. It offers a cost-effective, secure and practical approach to wearable security for incident recording and workflow management." Edesix will be showcasing the new VT-100 at this year's IFSEC in June.

Edesix, market-providers of the provision of Body Worn Cameras (BWC), has opened a new office in UAE as it targets the Middle Eastern market for expansion. The UK-based wearable camera expert, which already supplies VideoBadges to the Abu Dhabi police force, sees the Middle East as a key expanding market and is targeting sectors including security, transport, parking, retail, construction and the emergency services. "Body Worn Cameras have been proven to help improve the safety of those in public facing roles, whilst producing compelling legal evidence when needed," explains Richie McBride, managing director of Edesix. "We see the Middle East as a fast-growing market and have recently opened an Edesix office in Dubai to ensure that we are at the forefront of the wearable camera market in that region. At the same time, we are keen to support our growing channel within the UAE and promote our current VMS integrated solutions there" Edesix launched ONStream which enables seamless Body Worn Camera integration with existing VMS traditionally used for viewing footage from fixed IP cameras Integrating Body Worn cameras with VMS Edesix recently launched ONStream which enables seamless Body Worn Camera integration with existing Video Management Systems (VMS) traditionally used for viewing footage from fixed IP cameras. This new software enables ONVIF compliant VMSs to be compatible with wearable cameras. Cameras integrate seamlessly with VideoManager and leading CCTV Video Management Systems, meaning captured footage can be instantly shared and viewed by security staff. McBride adds: "One of the most important recent innovations from Edesix has been the ability to integrate the cameras with existing VMSs, enabling organisations to unify a site's security and monitoring system, and create mobile and first-person viewpoints and add contextual detail to footage. By integrating wearable cameras, it gives security teams the ability to view unparalleled detail of incidents as they unfold" Protecting staff and capturing secure footage "Fixed security cameras connected to a VMS are a powerful tool for monitoring and securing many different environments, from retail floors to distribution centres. By integrating wearable cameras, it gives security teams the ability to view unparalleled detail of incidents as they unfold. Our software furthers the potential of VMS, protects valued staff, and captures concrete and secure footage for future review. “It enables immediate response by control rooms and later review by supervisors. It also means live streams can be recorded as evidence, which can then be securely shared with third parties, including the police. The service is fully encrypted with audit trails to protect the evidential quality of footage stored." Edesix currently supplies key markets across the globe, through direct sales and international partners, to geographies including the USA, UK, Europe, Canada, the Middle East and Australasia.

Edesix, a provider of of body worn cameras (BWC), will be showcasing its new camera streaming gateway software, called ONStream, at ISC West 2018. ONStream integrates Edesix’s wearable cameras with existing video management systems (VMS) traditionally used for viewing footage from fixed IP cameras. This new software enables ONVIF compliant video management systems to be compatible with body worn cameras. Cameras integrate seamlessly with VideoManager and leading CCTV video management systems, meaning captured footage can be instantly shared and viewed by security staff. Fixed security cameras connected to a video management system are a powerful tool for monitoring and securing various environments" Unifying security and monitoring system “Body Worn Cameras have been proven to help improve the safety of those in public facing roles, whilst producing compelling legal evidence when needed,” explains Richie McBride, managing director of Edesix. “One of the most important recent innovations in the body worn camera market has been the ability to integrate the cameras with existing video management systems, enabling organisations to unify a site’s security and monitoring system, and create mobile and first-person viewpoints and add contextual detail to footage." “Fixed security cameras connected to a video management system are a powerful tool for monitoring and securing many different environments, from retail floors to distribution centres. By integrating wearable cameras, it gives security teams the ability to view unparalleled detail of incidents as they unfold. Our software furthers the potential of VMS, protects valued staff, and captures concrete and secure footage for future review." Studies examining the use of BWCs show they make a real difference in protecting frontline staff and the public  Staff security “It enables immediate response by control rooms and later review by supervisors. It also means live streams can be recorded as evidence, which can then be securely shared with third parties, including the police. The service is fully encrypted with audit trails to protect the evidential quality of footage stored.” Studies examining the use of BWCs show they make a real difference in protecting frontline staff and the public. Not only do they deter aggression and in many cases eliminate the need to activate a panic alarm or radio during an incident, but they also help staff feel valued, safe and more protected. Edesix currently supplies key markets across the globe, through direct sales and international partners, to geographies including the USA, UK, Europe, Canada, the Middle East and Australasia.

An ever-increasing number of sectors are starting to take notice of the huge array of security, training and performance benefits body worn cameras can bring to the table. As a result, new targeted solutions are now needed to meet the growing demands of customers that require cameras specifically designed to meet their security needs. This is the message being relayed by Edesix, market leaders and innovators in the provision of body worn camera solutions, as it continues its expansion drive into new markets around the globe. Edesix, which is based in Edinburgh, has just enjoyed another record year of success in 2017. It announced significant contract wins with Her Majesty’s Prison Services, Scotrail and South Australian Police. It has also made huge moves into new markets such as airport and retail security.We already have exciting plans in place for 2018, and are working with a number of clients, both existing and new" Innovative security solutions Richie McBride, managing director of Edesix, commented, “This again has been a record year of success for Edesix. The company has taken some major strides forward, especially with the contract wins for UK prisons, Scotrail and South Australian Police. We have also moved into new target markets, including airport security, and we expect this level of expansion will continue throughout 2018 and beyond.” “We have also been at the forefront of innovation throughout 2017, launching some exciting new products including the VideoTag, the X-100 (head mounted) and X-200 (torso mounted) cameras and ONStream which integrates Edesix body worn cameras with existing CCTV video management systems. We already have exciting plans in place for 2018, and are working with a number of clients, both existing and new, to modify and evolve our offering so we will continue to be at the forefront of the body worn camera market on a global scale.” Central camera management Edesix was announced as the preferred supplier for the UK Prison Service nationally in 2017. Edesix won this contract primarily due to the sophisticated tailored solution it presented to the UK Prison Service. The hardware and infrastructure provided by Edesix ensures efficient workflow and ease of use for prison officers, and those managing the data. Using a combination of DockControllers (a device which allows up to 84 VideoBadges to be connected, assigned and managed from one instance of VideoManager) and MicroServers for data storage; large estates of cameras can be simply rolled-out and centrally managed. The cameras worn by prison officers are capable of recording up to eight hours of footage, including audio Although complex in its design, the Edesix solution ensures that the day-to-day operation of prison-wide BWCs is simple to manage, unobtrusive for staff, and easily scaled upon demand. The cameras worn by prison officers are capable of recording up to eight hours of footage, including audio, and come with flexible mounting options for uniforms. The entire solution is secure and encrypted, meaning that even in the worst circumstance, a lost or stolen camera’s footage cannot be viewed, deleted or shared. VideoBadges for incident monitoring The ScotRail Alliance has invested £300,000 to make the railways even safer for customers and staff. Over 300 Edesix body worn cameras are being made available to frontline staff. The devices can be clipped on to the staff member’s uniform, or worn on a lanyard, and are clearly marked as CCTV cameras. The roll-out follows a successful trial, where staff found that people positively changed their behaviour when informed that they were being recorded. Footage from cameras worn by staff has also been used in a number of prosecutions. The aim of the roll-out is to continue to improve the safety of customers and staff, deter antisocial behaviour, and gather evidence when it does occur. Edesix’s VideoBadges are currently utilised by Police Forces around the globe, including Police Services Northern Ireland and Police Scotland.

Edesix, a manufacturer of body worn camera solutions, will be launching a range of new products at IFSEC 2017, all designed to enhance security and the protection of staff. VideoTag series Edesix’s VideoTag Series, the VT-100 and VT-50, are its smallest, lightest, and most discreet incident recorders to date and are proven to deter aggression, protect staff, and provide secure evidential-quality footage on demand. Designed for less frequent use than Edesix’s VideoBadge body worn cameras, both the VideoTag VT-100 and VT-50 are lightweight, unobtrusive, cost-effective, and easy to use. Both require no extra training, stream live footage, and have a standby battery-life of up to three months meaning users don’t need to worry about charging the device frequently. The VT Series also provides complementary audio and video capture of incidents when utilised as part of a larger body worn camera and CCTV security function. The VT-50 has been designed mainly for indoor use, and is aimed at sectors such as airlines, indoor retail, or education. The VT-100 is a more robust, weatherproof camera and has room for an ID badge. It is ideal for lone workers, debt collectors, supermarket workers and areas of the police. The VT-50 can record up to one hour of footage, while the VT-100 records up to 2 hours. “The VideoTag Series provides another option in our armoury of body worn cameras, they are light-weight and completely unobtrusive, making them perfect for any uniform, and ideal for those looking to record on a less regular basis or to equip all staff with recording devices,” comments Richie McBride, managing director of Edesix. "The VideoTag will complement your current security function, providing additional body-worn protection to staff throughout any organisation" “The VideoTag will complement your current security function, providing additional body-worn protection to staff throughout any organisation. The VideoTag Series allows staff in public-facing roles, who are not part of the security team, to create a safer working environment for themselves and their colleagues.” He adds: “Body worn cameras are now making a real difference to the protection of staff, and the general public, across an ever-growing list of sectors, including security, retail, local authorities, and emergency services to name but a few.” X series The X series; the X-100 head mounted camera and the X-200 torso mounted camera, are external camera accessories for the VB-300 VideoBadge. Both cameras allow for 1080p recording and are designed for tactical use. The X-100 is a side-mountable tactical head camera, ideal for use on headwear as currently utilised by police firearms divisions. The X-100 offers automatic rotation of footage, meaning it can be worn on either side of the head without requiring user configuration to rotate footage. The X-200 is a torso-mountable camera for use on uniform vests, tactical body armour or all-weather clothing. Both accessories are easy to operate and integrate into an existing evidence capture procedure. Recording is triggered by a toggle push-button and haptic, audible, and visual alerts will leave the operator and the public aware of recording beginning and ending. ONStream ONStream, Edesix’s new camera streaming gateway software, enables ONVIF compliant Video Management systems to be compatible with Edesix body cameras, streamlining the management of footage for users. Cameras integrate seamlessly with VideoManager and leading CCTV Video Management Systems via ONStream, meaning captured footage can be instantly shared and viewed by security staff.

Edesix, a provider of Body Worn Camera solutions, announces the launch of new head and torso mounted cameras. X-100 and X-200 The X-100 is a side-mountable tactical head camera, ideal for use on headwear as currently utilised by police firearms divisions. The X-100 offers automatic rotation of footage, meaning it can be worn on either side of the head without requiring user configuration to rotate footage. The X-200 is a torso-mountable camera for use on uniform vests, tactical body armour or all-weather clothing. Both are capable of capturing 1080p video at 30fps, or simultaneously recording and streaming at 720p. Both accessories are easy to operate and integrate into an existing evidence capture procedure. Recording is triggered by a toggle push-button and haptic, audible, and visual alerts will leave the operator and the public aware of recording beginning and ending. Both are available with a choice of connectors for attachment to a wide range of mounting options. VideoBadge-300 Both the X-100 and X-200 are accessories to be used along with the VideoBadge-300. They are plugged into a VB-300 with a convenient two-part cable for easy removal, which allows a VB-300 to be situated under a uniform or on a belt pocket. Richie McBride, managing director of Edesix, comments: “We feel these new Body Worn Camera accessories really enhance what we can offer, and help provide a flexible solution to customers requiring a lightweight, multifunctioning camera. Body Worn Cameras are now making a real difference to the protection of staff, and the general public, across an ever-growing list of sectors, including security, retail, local authorities, emergency services to name but a few. The X-Series of cameras are already in use by UK-based police forces.” Edesix is a supplier of Body Worn Camera solutions. Its all-encompassing solution, which includes the VideoBadge and VideoManager software, has proven to deter aggression and protect those working on the frontline, but also facilitates the creation of secure, tamperproof video and audio evidence when required.

Edesix, a provider of Body Worn Camera solutions, is to showcase how BWCs can tackle abusive and criminal behaviour at Railtex 2017. Sadly, both verbal and physical attacks onboard UK trains and surrounding station areas are on the rise. The British Transport Police recently reported almost 3,000 instances over a twelve-month period, with common assaults soaring by over 39 per cent in the past five years. Many are blaming rail staff cuts for the increase in abuse, but it’s clear that more has to be done to protect both rail staff and members of the public. Handling rail abuse Richie McBride, managing director of Edesix, who now provide body worn cameras to a number of rail providers throughout the UK, says that body worn cameras are a proven way of tackling abuse for rail operators. He explains: “Body cams have been proven to change the behaviour of the public toward officers to a significant extent, helping to calm potentially aggressive confrontations and reducing incidents of violence. Also, not all stations have CCTV in place, and even where there are fixed cameras, body cams provide operators with the flexibility to move through the station and get on and off trains knowing there are no gaps in the coverage they can achieve.” One provider who has utilised Edesix’s body worn cameras for a number of years now is Northern Rail. The company has 4,900 employees providing nearly 2,500 local and regional train services every weekday, making it the largest train operator in the UK. Its Rail Response Team provides a visible presence on the rail network, improving personal safety and security for passengers and staff. When considering adopting body worn cameras, it needed a flexible, easy to adopt and unobtrusive solution to help tackle abusive and criminal behaviour on the rail network. VideoBadge immediately stood out from other body worn video products for its compact and simple design VideoBadge VideoBadge immediately stood out from other body worn video products for its compact and simple design. The self-contained unit requires no cabling or additional attachments and is lightweight. It fits securely to clothing at chest level, giving maximum field of vision at all times with no inconvenience to the operator. Recorded footage is encrypted and securely processed using the included VideoManager software, ensuring user access and data protection controls are enforced. Evidence can easily be exported as video clips or stills if required and non-evidential footage deleted after a specified period of time. Northern Rail’s Head of Crime, Martyn Guiver, commented of the cameras: “VideoBadge helps us deter criminal behaviour on our rail network, improves the quality of the service we provide to the public and offers operational benefits beyond evidence capture."

Edesix designs, develops and manufactures a range of innovative body worn camera solutions Edesix, a provider of body worn camera (BWC) solutions, is celebrating a very successful 2016, with a host of large contract wins in the UK and abroad, complemented by a recent nomination for a Scottish Export Award. Edesix is based in Edinburgh where it designs, develops and manufactures a range of innovative BWC solutions to help solve complex industry challenges for those in public facing roles, and now counts the likes of the UK Prison Service, Police Service Northern Ireland, South Australia Police and the West Midlands Fire Service as clients. Success in UK prisons Edesix was announced as the BWC provider of choice for Her Majesty’s Prison Service throughout the UK. Following a national contract win and roll-out in England and Wales prison service, Edesix also secured orders for Prison applications in Scotland and, most recently, Northern Ireland. BWC’s are now regarded as an integral part of the armoury of police forces around the globe. After previous agreements with the likes of Police Scotland and Abu Dhabi Police, Edesix recently announced contract wins in Northern Ireland and South Australia, with the remit to support the delivery of a transparent, accountable police service, from the perspective of both police officers and of the communities they serve. In 2016 Edesix became the first BWC provider to supply fire services in the UK. It currently supplies fire-fighters in the West Midlands with BWCs, after a successful trial at ten Birmingham fire stations in 2016. West Midlands deployed 80 Edesix Videobadges earlier this year to be used primarily for learning and development purposes. VMS integration with Genetec "2016 has been an extremely busy year for Edesix, with many important contract wins and new partnerships agreed" Last year Edesix also announced a partnership agreement with Genetec Inc., a provider of open-platform, unified IP security solutions. The integration relationship has enabled Edesix BWCs, and associated VideoManager software to integrate seamlessly with Genetec™ Security Center; offering streamlined wearable security management, support and storage for city wide surveillance and law enforcement. Body Worn Video and video workflow Richie McBride, Managing Director at Edesix, commented: “2016 has been an extremely busy and successful year for Edesix, with many important contract wins and new partnerships agreed. This is a result of the hard work of our team and the quality of our products which stand out in a very competitive marketplace. “Body Worn Video and video workflow has become a key component within many sectors, including the emergency services, security, prisons, and parking, providing a greater awareness and accountability of events for its users. It is also now becoming increasingly commonplace to use BWC’s for identifying best practice to enhance training and learning development. “In the years to come we aim to build on our success by cementing our place at the top of the sectors we are already established in and also by breaking into new sectors such as the airline space.”