The security solutions team at Siemens was chosen to design, build, staff, manage and operate a comprehensive outsourced CCTV service for Bexley for the next 10 years. This new model has been put in place to reduce the long term costs of security across the borough whilst guaranteeing improved performance and support. The Siemens partnership offers the Council fixed costs, simpler budgeting and savings in procurement costs as well as investment in new technology to improve efficiency.
The community safety centre has been built not only to monitor the Council's existing CCTV cameras but also with the capacity to enable Siemens to monitor additional systems across Bexley (in line with Total Place thinking) and even offer services outside the borough. Siemens will take responsibility for attracting and integrating third parties who want to link to the Council's state-of-the-art facility. These include local shopping centres, business parks, retail estates, commercial organisations, concierge services and housing estates. Some of the income generated will help to offset the overall service costs.
The new state-of-the-art facility enables operators to monitor suspicious behaviour, identify incidents and co-ordinate appropriate responses from the Police, Fire and Ambulance services. It will also protect the public as they work, socialise and travel whilst respecting privacy and utilising ‘privacy zone' software.
Working in partnership with local businesses, the staff have radio links with local shops and public houses to further monitor criminal activity and public. "This pioneering move that the borough has made in outsourcing its CCTV services brings many benefits for our residents and the Council," remarked Cllr Teresa O'Neill, the Leader of the London Borough of Bexley.
Community safety has always been a priority for the London Borough of Bexley (LBB) and they are now the first local authority in the UK to adopt a new outsourced model that will help to further reduce crime and secure the safety of people and places within the borough.
