Surveillance Camera
Reproduced from: fingerprint-security.net
Previously, surveillance cameras were installed only in banks and other high-security venues. Nowadays, surveillance cameras are frequently found in public spaces across many countries, such as stores, shopping centres, and town parks. Beyond tackling crime, such cameras play an important function in counterterrorism operations.
Reproduced from: www.hysciences.com
Concerns about privacy have been raised, especially with the installation of more sophisticated cameras that are placed in hidden spots and are able to swivel and zoom in on suspicious persons or objects. It is not so much presence of cameras that upsets people, but the prospect of being filmed without their knowledge. But in view of the security threat, public opinion has increasingly shifted in favour of such surveillance.
The use of surveillance cameras to protect civilians from terror attacks was first introduced by the UK government in the 1990s, in response to a series of deadly truck bombings by the Irish Republican Army (IRA). More recently, in the failed 2005 London bombings, the authorities used these cameras to track down offenders at the target locations, and disposed of the remaining bombs before they could be detonated. However, this approach only works when the authorities know what the target location is, which often will not be the case.
The use of surveillance cameras to protect civilians from terror attacks was first introduced by the UK government in the 1990s, in response to a series of deadly truck bombings by the Irish Republican Army (IRA). More recently, in the failed 2005 London bombings, the authorities used these cameras to track down offenders at the target locations, and disposed of the remaining bombs before they could be detonated. However, this approach only works when the authorities know what the target location is, which often will not be the case.
As such, the usefulness of surveillance cameras in preventing a terrorist attack has been questioned. From a potential terrorist’s standpoint, cameras are “threats that can be handled” by behaving normally and not drawing attention to themselves (Gill, 2005). Moreover, a momentary lapse of attention on the part of security personnel monitoring the cameras can result in them missing suspicious activity. And even if a threat is discovered, police or counterterrorism squads may not always be able to respond swiftly enough.Nevertheless, the cameras are very useful in investigating attacks and incidents that have already occurred, assisting law enforcement officials in identifying and thus capturing the perpetrators. The failed Times Square bombing in May 2010 is an excellent example. No one actually saw the suspect; the threat was discovered only when shopkeepers around the area noticed smoke coming out of the abandoned stationary SUV and heard firecrackers going off inside. But the cameras caught a man walking away from the area, looking furtively over his shoulder and removing a layer of clothing. This enabled the authorities to identify and nab the suspect.
With improvements in technology, surveillance cameras may yet be a useful prevention tool. The development of AWARE, which processes the images collected and generates information, represents a great leap forward in this area. AWARE is analytical software that can classify objects and behaviours and present them in classified formats according to users’ needs. Combining surveillance cameras with other existing surveillance sensors like infra-red and heat detectors, the images and information produced can be analysed by the AWARE software. If any anomalies are detected, patrolling teams will be alerted. This will enable the police to spot not only suspicious persons and objects, but also detect vehicles containing bombs, and hopefully prevent an attack from occurring (Hambling, 2010).