OCS to upgrade Boston Borough Council’s CCTV system

04 July 2013

OCS has won the contract to upgrade Boston Borough Council’s CCTV system. The upgrade is expected to improve securityin the Lincolnshire area and save the public purse thousands of pounds a year.

Boston Borough Council awarded the prestigious contract to OCS following a rigorous European OJEU tender process.

OCS is to replace the existing fibre optics system with a wireless system, upgrade every camera to high-definition, and build a new high-tech CCTV control room.The invest-to-save project will repay in less than four years throughsavings in leased fixed fibre optic lines andoperating cost savings.

The OCS integrated solution is to be providedusingthree partner companies. Wavesight, the specialist wireless manufacturer and installer, will be used forthe wireless technology; Thinking Space control room furniture will be installed; and Panasonic cameras and IT equipment will be used.

This is a high profile project for Boston Borough Council.Boston's forward thinking Invest To Save initiative secured the funds to invest in the next generation of town centre CCTV monitoring solutions.

The OCS solution ensures council operators based in the CCTV suite at Municipal Buildings in Boston improve the already high level of service with the latest technology. Private businesses can also improve their security by joining the system,and cameras can be moved around from low-crime areas to high-crime areas as necessary given that the system is wireless.New cameras will significantly improve the image quality with high-definition imagesthat can be used in courtas evidence.

Jane Sheard, managing director of OCS Facilities Services in the UK, said: “OCS is delighted to be chosen to deliver a state-of-the-art CCTV system to Boston Borough Council. With this system, OCS will be working with Boston Borough Council and Lincolnshire Police to improve security in the borough.CCTV is a critical frontline service that deters people from committing street crime in the first place, and high-definition footagecan be used as irrefutable evidence in court.

“The strength of our independent integration capabilities has been demonstrated by the deployment ofWavesight, Thinking Space and Panasonic elements of the solution. We believe this to be the beginning of a long-standing partnership with Boston Borough Council to successfully deliver CCTV and possibly a range of other facilities management solutions.”

Cllr Stephen Woodliffe, portfolio holder for Boston Borough Council’s Community Safety Section, said: "This project represents a major investment by Boston's Conservative administration in improving the security and welfare of our borough. It is worth noting that some councils have chosen to balance their budgets by closing down their CCTV service, but Boston's Conservative administration is not prepared to compromise the safety and security of our borough.

"Our new state of the art CCTV Service will not only provide value for money but will also improve image quality and detection rates within the borough and has given out a clear message that Boston is not prepared to stand still or reduce its services for our residents and visitors. We are pleased to go into partnership with OCS on this project and we are looking forward to a new and exciting period for CCTV and Community Safety Services.”