Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) monitoring may deter or detect criminals and can provide evidence for police. Key things to consider about CCTV for your business is the placement / height of the camera, how long vision is stored for and training of employees to ensure correct usage or maintenance of the system.
Here is more CCTV information to consider.
Placement
- Placement of cameras should be determined by what you want them to record.
- Police need a good facial image to identify offenders. A camera at about 1.8 metres high (e.g. on a door frame) recording people exiting is often the easiest to install. Select a position that gives the best image (consider sunlight glare/shop design).
- Consider displaying camera vision on a screen to allow staff to monitor people entering and make potential offenders aware they are being watched.
- Position other cameras to best eliminate blind spots and observe offenders.
- Ensure cameras operate effectively day and night and that glare from sun, windows or lighting, including vehicle headlights, does not impact vision quality.
- Poor lighting will affect the cameras’ ability to capture colour vision. Ensure that there’s sufficient lighting to assist CCTV cameras in capturing colour vision.
- Check that vegetation, banners, posters and signs don’t obstruct cameras.
Storage
- Digital storage is preferred for ease of use, longevity and a better ability to export recordings, including stills or single frame pictures.
- The minimum recommended time to retain recorded vision is 31 days per Australian Standards ‘CCTV Management and Operation’.
- Ideally, save recorded vision of all incidents, even if they are not reported by you. It may cover you against inaccurate allegations being made by others.
- If recorded CCTV vision is available, advise police when reporting the incident.
- Consider if the recorded vision quality is sufficient to identify a person.
- Taking a picture of a CCTV recording on a mobile phone can assist police attending soon after an offence has occurred, but it’s not suitable for identification, evidence or court. Police require a copy or digital transfer to use as evidence.
Signage
- Signage indicating CCTV is in operation may deter offenders.
- Place at eye level where it can be easily seen.
Training
- Ideally, staff should be able to review recorded vision to show police or provide an offender description but not to alter/delete vision or turn off cameras.
- CCTV/dashcam recordings can be provided to police by copying to a USB/Disc for collection or uploading via an AXON link. AXON is a drop box or file hosting service for police who will email you a link to enable you to upload your CCTV/dashcam recording. Retail businesses may provide recordings via AUROR (a retail crime intelligence platform).
- If copied to USB/Disc, make sure staff know where it is for police to collect.
Maintenance
- Have procedures in place to check the CCTV system is operating each day.
- Ensure cameras are free of dust, insects and spider webs.
- Where possible, ensure vision is embedded with date, time and location watermarks.
- Regularly check clock settings are correct, including daylight savings changes.
- If your business is to stay open during a power failure, ensure planning includes your CCTV.
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