Westminster City Council is deploying a network of CCTV cameras featuring specialist audio and noise detection AI technology.
Around 100 cameras are initially being deployed as part of a £1.2 million contract with internet of things solutions provider North.
The company said they will alert operatives to loud noise complaints to support real time responses to potential incidents and immediately provide supporting footage.
The new surveillance system – aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour and crime – will feed into and be monitored at Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s control centre, with Westminster City Council investing a further £150,000 to support the collaboration. This includes investment made into new specialist equipment and has created five new full time roles for system operators and a CCTV manager to drive community safety.
North also supports the Hammersmith and Fulham control centre, which has been part of a £5 million contract to upgrade its CCTV operations since 2020.
Police role
It added that the new Westminster system will be the first run by the council since 2017, when the previous network was closed and one-off capital funding was given to the Metropolitan Police to acquire its own cameras.
While police run cameras will continue to monitor pan-London hot spot areas in the West End and Covent Garden, the new council system will concentrate on addressing problems that most affect local people.
Cllr Adam Hug, leader of Westminster City Council, said: “Anti-social behaviour and crime in our communities blights the lives of residents across Westminster and as a council we want to do what we can to help tackle it. This new local CCTV camera network will help keep an eye on anti-social behaviour hotspots in local communities across the city, assist the police in identifying wrongdoers and provide the evidence to support work to design out crime.
“The safety of our residents is of utmost importance, and we want to play our part in helping keep our streets safer and to ensure that residents feel more secure in their own homes.”
Advanced network
Tony Oliver, head of physical security at North, commented: “By implementing and feeding AI based audio camera technology into the Genetec advanced security platform, Westminster City Council will operate one of the most advanced CCTV networks in the UK.
“This is strengthened through its partnership with Hammersmith and Fulham, which by sharing a control centre will enable the neighbouring councils to collaborate on insight and resource, which ultimately will further improve safety and accessibility. “
