IDIS’ surveillance system secures London’s Bow Quarter residential estate

One of the UK’s most exclusive residential developments, the Bow Quarter is a gated community with 19 townhouses and 714 apartments spread across seven separate buildings. Many of the historic, Grade II listed buildings were part of the famous Bryant & May match factory, which was transformed in one of East London’s first major urban renewal projects in the late 1980s. Set in seven acres, the site offers upscale city living within one of London‘s largest communal gardens.

Most of the accommodation is housed in former factory and office buildings and these, together with all the estate facilities, form the factory estate. Amenities include a gym, bar and restaurant, convenience store and private parking. Leaseholders are part a unique ownership structure, with a residents’ association. The estate is run by Little Apple Holdings (LAH).The solution had to be extremely resilient, with the flexibility to easily zone in on specific areas

Integrated security system

When the management team wanted to significantly upgrade estate security on behalf of the residents’ association, it put the bid to competitive tender with very clear specifications. The requirement was for a fibre network to support an integrated IP solution with the futureproof capability to run a range of technologies, including HD surveillance, access control, ANPR and biometrics.

A major challenge would be to install high-tech equipment while ensuring full compliance with Grade II listed building requirements. This greatly restricted options on where to run cables and fit equipment while delivering the visibility range and quality required.

The solution had to be extremely resilient, with the flexibility to easily zone in on specific areas – such as the private car parks. And it would need to be unobtrusive, to ensure the presence of a high-security system wouldn’t compromise the relaxed ambience of the community.The innovative approach was designed to support access control, ANPR and new technologies as future needs evolve

Customised design

The management team awarded the contract to expert security integrators, Fidelity Integrated Systems, to deliver a complete HD surveillance solution. Their customised design based on state-of-the-art IDIS equipment was the stand-out choice to deliver the ease of use, high-quality images and industry-leading resilience required, all from a single provider.

Comprising hardware, software and peripherals from the IDIS DirectIP suite, the solution includes 174 dome and bullet cameras, a mix of full HD network video recorders (NVRs) and licence-free IDIS Centre video management software. The innovative approach was designed to optimise fulfilment of the residents’ current requirements while ensuring long-term scope to support access control, ANPR and new technologies as future needs evolve.The IDIS solution system has resulted in twelve arrests, eight of which have resulted in custodial sentences

Effective crime prevention

Discreetly positioned cameras provide surveillance of the exterior of all buildings – including key approaches, car parks, the leisure centre and maintenance facilities – plus internal corridors, to offer residents complete peace of mind without compromising their quality of life.

"We take the safety, security and wellbeing of our residents extremely seriously. They need to know that their privacy, property and assets are in the safest possible hands, while also enjoying effortless, ease of access to, from and around the estate. That’s why we had no hesitation in investing in the IDIS solution – it’s at the heart of a first-class installation that combines technical excellence with the long-term potential we wanted.”

“So far, the IDIS solution system has resulted in twelve arrests, eight of which have resulted in custodial sentences purely down to the quality of images. The police love the system as do Tower Hamlets Council. What’s more, it’s extremely easy to use and offers superb performance,” Steve Murray, estate manager at Little Apple Holdings.