Network cameras from Axis Communications, the global leader in network video, have been installed in Douglas Court Shopping Centre - one of Ireland's premier shopping centres - owned by the progressive retail management firm Shipton Group. Working with IT consultancy and Axis Partner, RPC Consultants, a total of 76 Axis network cameras have been deployed across the car parks, service corridors and throughout the 59-unit shopping centre in Cork, Ireland.
A range of Axis dome and Pan Tilt Zoom (PTZ) network cameras have been selected to provide comprehensive surveillance to mitigate against fraudulent ‘slip and fall' personal injury claims, enforce health and safety measures and reduce shoplifting. All surveillance images are fed into Milestone XProtect Enterprise video management system via a Gigabit fibre backbone internally and wireless network operating across the car parks.
Security incidents are recorded for up to 150 days - high quality JPEG video files are supplied to local police where offences have been committed or allegations made. The system has been specifically designed to provide comprehensive coverage inside the centre in cases of so-called ‘slip and fall' personal injury claims. In addition, 35 Axis network cameras have been deployed in the centre's service corridors which provide access to emergency exits and, by law, must be kept clear. Retailers sometimes block these corridors with new stock that has been delivered but not yet put out in the store.
Orla Lannin, centre manager, Douglas Court Shopping Centre, explains, "Ultimately we are liable if these corridors are not kept clear and there is a need for evacuation of the building which is subsequently impeded through abuse of these spaces. These cameras give us information about repeated blocking of these corridors and I will issue warnings to retailers if necessary."
The owner and management company of Douglas Court, Shipton Group, also use the surveillance system to support centre management on the ground by keeping an eye on all parts of the shopping centre remotely, from its headquarters based five miles away. Ted Nolan, health safety and security manager, Shipton Group, explains a key management benefit, "When we see increased congestion (in busier trading periods such as close to Christmas), we might deploy additional staff in key choke points such as in car parks and entrances to help direct shoppers to where they need to go. We might also deploy more staff collecting and redistributing trolleys for example."
Steve Gorski, managing director for Axis Communications (UK), commented, "Douglas Court has used widespread deployment of our cameras to provide them with multiple business benefits which go far beyond pure security to enforce health and safety regulations, cut slip and fall claims dramatically and improve shopping centre efficiency more generally. It is a great testament to what can be achieved through intelligent deployment of IP-Surveillance."
