All aboard for a safer service with CCTV

The level of CCTV surveillance in the UK is increasing. CCTV surveillance helps make the public feel safer and more willing to use public transport. It reduces the levels of vandalism, anti-social behaviour and crime. Police, local authorities and transport authorities are beginning to integrate their various CCTV systems and share images. Examples are given of such integration initiatives in Tyne and Wear, Leeds and the West Midlands. The digital revolution has made it possible for buses, trains and taxis to carry small digital recorders. The future of CCTV lies in intelligent systems such as automatic number plate recognition, facial recognition and video motion detection. Equipment developed by Ipsotek, Smart CCTV and Viseum can detect erratic events or behaviour and improve passenger and driver safety.