Due to the current camera network having reached the end of its serviceable life after more than 20 years, The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) initiated a £1.3m project to upgrade its region-wide CCTV monitoring systems

The goals of the project were to allow residents to be and feel safe in the borough and that the new systems would increase coverage across the borough, enabling information to be more effectively shared with regional police.

After a comprehensive review of the Royal Borough’s existing analog video surveillance system by specialist consultancy Global MSC Security (MSC) a tendering process was initiated to find a company who they could partner with to create and deliver a solution that could cost effectively improve the existing system and meet the project goals.

Having a strong reputation for designing complex, state-of-the-art security systems, CDS were delighted to win the tender to partner up with MSC and Genetec.

At the heart of the network is a completely refurbished monitoring centre which will give the council’s control room staff, as well as partners in Thames Valley Police, improved facilities to monitor and review footage.

The new system will complement the community safety work undertaken by the council’s expanding team of community wardens and the ongoing project to replace the hostile vehicle mitigation barriers in Windsor town centre with a more sympathetic design.

CDS designed a state-of-the-art wireless camera system to support the Genetec open architecture video management system. Some of the key technical benefits delivered by CDS include full HD recording, advance graphical mapping, advanced incident response, customisable and extended video storage retention, and various features to aid data protection regulation compliance such as automated pixelisation of images and end-to-end encryption to enhance privacy controls.

Commenting on the project Cllr. Mike Airey, cabinet member for environmental services, said “We are thrilled to utilise cutting edge CCTV technology to ensure the well-being of our community and we are pleased to implement a system that will also benefit our council. By improving CCTV operations, GDPR compliance is simplified, while reducing costs”.

Andy Williams, Managing Director of CDS said: “We are delighted to have been appointed as the Royal Borough’s CCTV contractor. Over the coming months we will be installing state-of-the-art cameras across the borough to help local residents feel safe in their community.”

Dan Meyrick, Regional Sales Manager, Genetec Inc. also added “We’re delighted to see our solutions chosen by the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead and we are proud to have contributed to this well thought out upgrade that will benefit the council, local police and citizens”.