Solutions SK employs Control Centre Operators that are trained to a nationally recognised standard and licensed by the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

Our CCTV Monitoring Centre can provide 24-hour monitoring, with visual patrols or event driven observation, triggered by integrated motion or other sensors.

CCTV Operators can alert our mobile patrols, emergency services or initiate other procedures, as required, ensuring a swift and appropriate response to any situation.

When intelligently linked with remote monitoring, CCTV can also prevent crime with our full audio facilities, which enables our Operators to give warnings to potential attackers or assistance to staff, customers and other visitors to the site.

In addition to detector activated CCTV, Solutions SK can also offer a number of building management and bespoke services to our customers by remotely controlling gates and access barriers, via the CCTV transmission equipment.

The key objectives for the system in keeping with its purpose and operational requirement are to:

• Protect areas used by the public
• Deter and detect crime
• Assist in the identification of offenders, leading to their arrest and successful prosecution
• Reduce anti-social behaviour
• Reduce the fear of crime
• Encourage better use of facilities and attractions
• Maintain and enhance the commercial viability of the town and encourage continued investment

How does it all work?
The images are transmitted from the camera down optical fibre as a light signal. On arrival at the CCTV Control Centre the signal is converted back into pictures and the date, time and camera number is imprinted onto each frame of the image. The images from each camera are sent to one of the monitors or projected display units on the video wall and to each of the spot monitors on the desk. The images are also sent to “lapsed time” digital video recorders and recorded on to hard drive, images from cameras are recorded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.

In addition to “lapsed time” recording, the CCTV system uses “real time” recording equipment. These recordings will show events as they happen. When an operator observes an incident, they are able to monitor and record the event in “real time” whilst initiating a response from the police. Once the incident is over, the investigating police officer can arrange to view the images for evidential quality. The police can request a copy of the recorded images to enable them to conduct their investigation.

Images are recorded onto Hard Drives and store for a period of 31 days data is then automatically overwritten

Staffing
The day to day operation of the system is managed by the Control Centre Operations Manager who reports directly to the Security Development Manager who is responsible for the overall management of the Security Service function of Stockport Council.

The primary duty of the staff is to operate the equipment to its optimum potential and to patrol proactively in an attempt to deter and detect crime and anti-social behaviour in the areas covered by the cameras. All CCTV operators are trained to operate the equipment, they are required to record any incident or occurrence in support of the prevention and detection of crime, public safety and the prosecution of offenders, in keeping with the systems purpose. As a result of new legislation introduced in March 2006, all CCTV operators are now required to be Security Industry Authority (SIA) licenced. Licences will only be issued to operators who have undergone training by SIA approved providers, and obtained the necessary qualifications.

The operators will continue to assist the police throughout the incident and will provide the police upon request, visual evidence of the event and if necessary attend court as a witness in support of the evidence they have supplied.

The Police
The Security Service works very closely with Greater Manchester Police as an active member of the Safer Stockport Partnership. Regular meetings take place with the Police Liaison Officer and other agencies, which form the basis for a pro-active and multi-agency approach to tackling crime within Stockport. Officers are regularly deployed to the Control Centre, working alongside CCTV operators and providing support to officers on the ground.

Privacy
Stockport Council takes the issue of people’s rights to privacy seriously. Control Centre operators receive training on the Data Protection, Human Rights and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Acts. Operators are trained not to stereotype individuals, nor are they permitted to follow people with the cameras unless they have reason to believe they have or are about to commit an offence, or have a concern for the welfare of the individual.

There are only two instances when a camera operator may view a private area and these are both related to crimes in progress. The first is in response to a direct request from the police and the second is when a camera operator has actually witnessed a crime and is directing a police response.

In both cases, the operator is required to submit a detailed report justifying their actions. Any request from the police for directed surveillance will be subject to authorisation on production of a signed Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) form. Any complaint regarding the invasion of privacy will be investigated thoroughly

Access to Images
The facility is a secure unit and access is restricted to authorised personnel only. There are strict guidelines on the production and release of recorded material from the Control Centre. For images that are recorded onto digital media, there is a complete audit trail from the moment the media is created, to the moment the media is removed for evidence.

Subject Access Request Form
If required, a Subject Access Request form can be printed off, completed and returned to the address stated within the form. See ‘Related Items' on the right of the page.