Chris Vercoe – the force’s architectural and CCTV liaison officer – came up with the idea for the educational DVD (entitled ‘Who Are You Looking At?’ – after noticing how the quality of CCTV images differed greatly from one licensed venue to another. Vercoe’s aim is to make all pubs and clubs’ CCTV fit for purpose so that, in the event of a crime, the images from the surveillance camera can provide accurate evidence for the police to prosecute offenders.
Vercoe, who’s based at police HQ in Exeter, told info4security: “Ever since CCTV images were used to identify the murderers of two-year-old Jamie Bulger in 1993, surveillance cameras have been a vital tool in police investigations. However, images from CCTV can only be useful if the camera is installed and commissioned in the correct fashion. All clubs, and some pubs, can only obtain a license if they have CCTV. The location and angle of the camera, the number of days that recordings are retained for, playback and formatting are all important issues for the licensee that are covered in this DVD.”
In addition to Nick Ross, Graeme Gerrard (the deputy chief constable of Cheshire) and Professor Martin Gill of Perpetuity Research and Consultancy International (who recently helped conduct the Home Office national evaluation of CCTV) also contributed to the DVD.
“I have had national and even international interest about the DVD so I hope many people will benefit from watching this,” stated Verco.
How to purchase your copy
The DVD is on sale for the price of GB pound 2 per disk (with a minimum order needed of 100 disks). The revenue made from the sale of the DVDs will cover the cost of production to Devon and Cornwall Constabulary and fund future initiatives. Ten pence from each DVD sold will be donated to the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science. The inspiration for this Institute (which is the first university department in the world devoted specifically to reducing crime) came from Nick Ross, of course.
Anybody interested in purchasing the DVDs should contact Chris Vercoe (telephone 01392 452691, e-mail: [email protected]
