Raid-control recommendations (1)

Raid-control recommends that prior to seeking a supplier of cameras, it is important to establish what the equipment needs to achieve.

Questions to ask include:

A key aspect is image quality - there is no point having cameras for evidential purposes, if they prove not to be up-to-the job when an incident actually occurs.

The Flying Squad's Alan Townsend said: "The Home Office recommends that CCTV users have 31 videos, one for each day of the month. These should be rotated, so that they are only used 12 times a year. If having this number of videos is seen as a problem, a digital system should be considered."

As a further safeguard, purchasers should ensure that suppliers are committed to a quality, for example, through conformity of image systems and management processes to BSIA approved standards and the requirements of the Data Protection Act.

Una Riley, Euro Security Systems' managing director, said: "Purchasers should make an objective assessment of their needs, and not base supplier selection solely on cost, as this will compromise system performance and picture quality.

"Digital systems provide benefits in terms of image quality. Serious consideration should be given to selecting technology that enables enhanced facial and number plate recognition."

Time lock/delay systems

Systems that control the times at which safes can be opened play a vital role in the fight against armed robbery. Time locks prevent safes being opened by anyone except at pre-determined low risk periods.

Even if an attack occurs when the time lock is disengaged, a time delay will take effect. This varies according to the user's requirements but is seldom less than five minutes.

Guardian Security's Mike Palmer said: "As the majority of armed raids are over in under 50 seconds, very few assailants are prepared to wait for a lengthy time delay to expire."

Another useful option is for two keys to be required to open a safe, one of which is kept by the cash-in-transit company, meaning that staff cannot open it in isolation.

Safes should have a posting facility, allowing cash to be deposited at any time and also incorporating an 'anti-fish' device, which means that it is not possible to pull cash out via this slot.