The GB pound 53 million complex is a purpose-built hub for all public service provision in and around Livingston, an area serving 170,000 people.
Back in 2007, Reliance won the bid to design a highly robust security solution that would meet the diverse needs of all partners in the hub (more of whom anon) and a total of around 1,000 employees.
Seven different civic services – the Divisional Police Headquarters for Lothian & Borders Police, the Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Courts complex, West Lothian Council’s headquarters, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal services, Scottish Children’s reporter administration service, the Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service and West Lothian Community Health and Care Partnership – are now under one roof for the first time.
Safeguarding sensitive operations
Speaking about the project, Vincent Guz – the Civic Centre project officer at West Lothian Council – told SMT Online: “Co-locating the seven different partners into a single building would have been impossible without the ability to safeguard so many highly sensitive operations. With the public, employees and Police/Court detainees in one complex, we need to ensure both security and flexibility for all of the partners’ operations.”
Reliance High-Tech exceeded client expectations with what Guz described as “an innovative, expertly implemented solution that’s enabling us to deliver new ways of working, control costs and improve performance while adding value to the citizens of West Lothian.”
A powerful alarm and event management system, 170 CCTV cameras, 240 remote access points, video intercom, intruder alarm and fire alarm systems are installed to safeguard the site.
One major feature of the new solution is the 54-cell custody suite. A comprehensive suite of integrated security solutions includes life signs monitoring affray and cell call to maximise the safety and welfare of detainees at all times while maximising efficiencies. This enables the smooth operation of all detention and investigative services, at the same time ensuring compliance with the highest statutory standards.
Constant need to maximise efficiencies
John Keenan, the Civic Centre buildings manager, added: “As the first project of its type, from design in 2007 through to delivery now, our requirements were continually reviewed to maximise efficiencies. Reliance High-Tech continually impressed with its excellent project management and ability to accommodate our evolving needs. The company always found pragmatic solutions without compromising standards.”
The cost of the solution is expected to pay for itself within three years. Savings will be realised in the streamlining of Court processes in the dual-purpose custody areas, and through the co-location of the police and the new Courts Service which will save an estimated 28 police officers ‘on the ground’.
The success of this project means that the security solution at West Lothian Civic Centre will become a Best Practice template for roll-out across Scotland.
Dan Thomas, the sales and marketing director at Reliance High-Tech, concluded: “This high profile project demonstrates our capability to deliver a complex and highly integrated solution that not only provides a flexible and secure environment but also operational efficiencies for West Lothian as a whole.”
Design, delivery, management
Reliance High-Tech specialises in the design, delivery and management of electronic security and remote monitoring solutions. The company operates on a national basis, working with both private and public sector organisations across all markets. The aim is to help customers secure their people, brand, data and physical assets by applying leading technologies that integrate physical and logical security solutions.
The company is part of the market-leading Reliance Security Group of Companies, which provides security guarding, facilities management, support services and business outsourcing and employs over 12,000 people from a network of offices dotted around the UK.
