Reverse vandalism: CCTV footage seen by millions of people around the world shows that CCTV surveillance isn't always about crime.
A few months ago in Boston, Lincolnshire, the myth surrounding the idea that CCTV is used only as a deterrent to stop crime was well and truly exploded. On prime-time television, viewers around the globe witnessed a group of youths bending a previously vandalised bike-rack back into position, with CCTV images broadcasting the whole incident with crystal-clear quality.
Unknown to revellers and onlookers alike was the fact that impressive quality CCTV images were being transmitted wirelessly back to the town's security control room using equipment supplied by specialist outdoor wireless CCTV company, Wavesight. Operators at the new control room can clearly be seen zooming in on the youths and watching them as they carefully bend the bike rack into position.
In July, facilities management and security company, OCS, updated the Boston CCTV camera system to future-proof it for years to come. Removing the old analogue cameras and leased fibre lines, they utilised Wavesight's transmission products and expertise to provide a wireless solution using the latest in IP cameras supplied by Panasonic.
Steve Pittom, MD for Wavesight, comments: "This is a very powerful image for us. It clearly shows the quality of the images that can be transmitted wirelessly in real-time. It is often said that a picture paints a thousand words, and this was never so true as when the CCTV operators in Boston witnessed the un-vandalising of a piece of street furniture. For it to make headline news, due not only to the nature of what was happening, but also on account of the quality of the images broadcasting this impressive DIY repair job to the masses, is a testimony to our skills in ensuring that wireless CCTV technology really works and provides an excellent solution that meets client needs."
The footage, which has already received over 2 million views from around the world and was also aired on BBC and ITV evening news, can be seen on the webcast.
