Panasonic showcase their versatile and innovative i-Pro security system at a local community centre

The Eltham Centre, located in South East London, provides first class integrated services for the local community including leisure, library, educational, community and council services to local residents. The innovative and attractive centre was pioneered by Greenwich Council in 2007 as a way to modernise its services and bring the community together under one roof.

Built on the site of the old library which has been refurbished, the building was expanded to become an impressive local hub, opening its doors in November 2007. With its year anniversary just gone and the centre now embedded into the local community, we look at the challenges faced in making sure the staff, public and building are kept secure and safe and how this was accomplished.

To project manage the construction Scott Parson was contracted on behalf on Greenwich Council. Liaising with Scott, West London Security successfully won the tender to install the security system using an IP Panasonic i-Pro system. Headed by George Rohan, whose 15 years of surveillance experience told him where system coverage would need to be placed as a priority, West London Security used their in-depth product knowledge to provide Scott with a technical solution that perfectly met the Centre's needs.

During installation, West London Security had to take into account how the building was going to be used by the public. With so many different uses such as the library, citizen's advice bureau, gym, café and car park, the types of cameras required, the positioning and what they would be used for were different for each area. Eltham Centre's operational manager, Caroline Abrams explains: "During the planning stages the project did change and develop so the usage of the building changed and thus the initial specification for the surveillance system had to be adapted to meet these changes."