Chad Varah School where remotely controlled CCTV is keeping the school secure from intruders (Pic: Lincolnshire Echo)
A super-school in Lincoln is being protected from vandalism and burglary by round the clock remotely monitored cctv cameras designed and installed by Lincolnshire-based GB Security Group.
The Chad Varah Primary School was formed from the merger of the former Myle Cross Junior School and St Giles Infant School.
And before the cctv system had even been commissioned, there was a break in, but operators spotted the intruders and responded to the event through the tannoy system that was in place ready for commissioning. The system has continued to prove its worth, with no problems with vandalism or break ins at the school.
Major extensions were added to the former St Giles site to create the new school and all the pupils and staff moved to Myle Cross as a temporary home for 12 months whilst the £2m facelift was carried out.
And with the schools being in an area that has experienced problems with vandalism in the past, project staff were concerned about how best to protect the site whilst it was under development.
The team at Mouchel – the outsourcing company which provides the building maintenance consultancy services to Lincolnshire County Council – undertook a feasibility study into security options.
And the most effective solution they identified was a remotely monitored cctv system, operating to the exacting BS8418 standard, which was specially configured, designed and installed by Lincolnshire-based GB Security Group.
“We had a rather unique situation with the development of Chad Varah Primary School because we had to protect two sites but intended to be able to re-use security equipment from the temporary site once work was complete,” explained Rob Martin, lead consultant at Mouchel.
“Remote monitoring was the most effective solution to the problem of site security at this school, which is located in what can be a rather challenging area. As well as protecting the building, it also provided security for the contractors’ compound during building works. It helped to stop crime before it took place, unlike stand-alone cctv which simply records an event and leaves little likelihood of prosecution.”
When the cctv system was installed at Myle Cross, but before it had been commissioned, there was a break in. But operators spotted the intruders and responded to the event through the tannoy system that was in place ready for commissioning. “It stopped them in their tracks, and has continued to do so. We have had no problems at all with vandalism or break ins,” added Rob.
Tannoy plays a key role in remotely monitored cctv, with the remote operators using it to alert intruders to the fact that they are under surveillance and that the police will be called.
Following the completion of the building redevelopment work , a BS8418 remotely monitored system with wrap around package was installed to protect the newly completed site from intrusion out of hours.
The new school facilities, described by headmistress Julie Harrison as the perfect space in which pupils can learn, provide the 440 pupils with a new sports hall, an IT suite and state-of-the-art classrooms.
BS 8418 is a Code of Practice for the installation and remote monitoring of detector activated CCTV systems. It set outs recommendations on best practice for the design, installation, commissioning and operation of detector activated CCTV systems. Official Police policy is to only issue Unique Reference Numbers to CCTV systems which comply with BS 8418, to overcome the problems with false alarms.
Remotely monitored CCTV is a cost-effective method of providing live on-the-ground site protection around the clock, without the huge costs associated with providing 24 hour manned cover. It works by connecting motion detectors to cameras, linked to a 24 hour remote monitoring control centre, and is increasingly used on commercial, public sector and even domestic sites. Using high speed broadband and wireless 3G connections, the integrated cameras and motion sensors detect any movement on site. If an alarm/detector is triggered, images from an associated camera are transmitted to a specialised Remote Video Response Centre (RVRC), 24 hours a day.
About GB Security Group:
GB Security Group has a 30 year track record in security and fire protection, with customers ranging from multi-site food processing plants, commercial businesses, professional firms and schools through to retailers and housebuilders. Their portfolio delivers a complete range of security products and services, backed up with leading edge technical expertise, including:
CCTV
Fire Alarms
Guarding Services
Intruder Alarms
Access Control
Gates & Barriers
CCTV Monitoring
Integrated Systems
GB Security Group also operates its own specialist 24 hour remote monitoring centre. working to the highest achievable accreditation levels with NSI and SIA, and with a proven track record since 1993. All monitoring centre staff are SIA licensed for monitoring both private and public space and the company operates under the Approved Contractors Scheme (ACS), the independently assessed quality standard for suppliers of private security services.
LawNet firms receive their awards at the annual conference
South East firm Matthew Arnold & Baldwin LLP has been named the LawNet Law Firm of the Year.
The firm scooped the prize for its successful strategy in driving up its commercial client base and its attitude to staff and client needs. The announcement was made at the annual conference of LawNet, the collaborative national network for independent law firms.
Said LawNet chief executive John Thomas, who presented the awards alongside BBC sports presenter Garry Richardson: “Their client list is now really impressive with some big hitters in the field and this has helped to drive their profits forward. They have increased their profile through various routes, including focussed use of networking, and have launched their own training academy which is available for all staff.”
Winner of the Managing Partner of the Year award was Derwent Campbell of Bath-based Mogers Solicitors LLP, who has overseen international recognition for the firm through the development of their expat services.
The use of leading edge techniques on their website saw a third successive win for East of England firm Kester Cunningham John who have started to sell some legal services online and have secured a 200% increase in traffic after an overhaul of their website.
Another firm rewarded for online innovation was Hertfordshire-based Breeze & Wyles Solicitors LLP, who won the business development award, after introducing an innovative online process to manage conveyancing work, which was written internally and has automated transactional work.
Best CSR policy went to Darbys Solicitors LLP in Oxford, for a clearly defined strategy that involves employees and covers involvement in both community and resource initiatives. The firm has recently secured ISO 14001 accreditation for its environmental management systems, one of only a handful of law firms in the country to do so.
And Ipswich firm Gotelee Solicitors won the Client Care award for a number of recent initiatives and processes, which have included a move to fixed fee billing and the introduction of a Client Promise strategy, which sets out how they will match up to their service claims and tackling everything about the client interaction process, through to how long a client may wait in reception.
The full list of award winners:
Law Firm of the Year
sponsored by comparelegaljobs.com
Matthew Arnold & Baldwin LLP
Managing Partner of the Year
Sponsored by Voicepath
Derwent Campbell of Mogers Solicitors LLP
Commitment to Client Care
Sponsored by Certainty
Gotelee Solicitors
Best website Sponsored by Hallam Communications
Kester Cunningham John Solicitors
Single Best Initiative: Business Development/Marketing
Sponsored by thecabinetoffice
Breeze & Wyles Solicitors LLP
Best CSR Policy
Sponsored by Westfield Health
Darbys Solicitors LLP
ENDS
360 words
For further information, please contact:
Press information:
Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & Marketing
Direct line: 01400 251557 Mobile: 0797 3767602 Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk
Helen Hamilton-Shaw, Director of Services, LawNet
Direct line: 01926 834622 Email: hhamilton-shaw@lawnet.co.uk
Notes to Editor:
About LawNet:
LawNet was established in 1989 to enable a collaborative, non-competing national network where independent law firms could access big firm resources and benefit from collective purchasing, shared knowledge, best practice and expertise. Each firm has an exclusive geographical operating area to enable collaboration.
The combined income of the 68 firms comprising LawNet is currently in excess of £250m – equivalent to a UK Top 15 law firm – with members ranging from £2m to £15m turnover.
Independent research shows LawNet is most highly valued by members for delivering in six key areas – training, networking, PII, business development, marketing and compliance. It currently places some £1.2bn worth of PI cover alone for members each year, which helps stabilise premiums for firms.
The new President of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society is a renowned academic figure who is committed to developing education and sustainability in agriculture.
Professor David Chiddick, CBE, former vice chancellor of Lincoln University, declared it a ‘privilege’ to follow in the footsteps of other distinguished Presidents, who have included HRH Princess Anne and the Earl of Yarborough.
Married with three children, Professor Chiddick is now Emeritus Professor at Lincoln University. He is working with the Agricultural Society development committee to bring together the Society, University and other key partners to develop agricultural programmes in a way that best integrates education and community. He will also be focussing his attention on driving sustainability in agriculture, a vitally important theme for the Society.
His interest and involvement in agriculture dates back 20 years to his time as Pro Vice Chancellor at De Montfort University, when he took the lead in rationalising the agricultural training on offer through the three sites in Lincolnshire – at Holbeach, Caythorpe and Riseholme. That process resulted in the consolidation of agricultural education at Riseholme and food sciences at Holbeach, providing a springboard for the college to become part of the new University of Lincoln in 2001 and Holbeach to achieve the distinction as the National Food Manufacturing Centre.
He said: “Education on the Showground site has expanded significantly over recent years, and now brings together agriculture, countryside and community with increasing involvement across higher and further education and amongst schools. Getting more young people involved in understanding the agricultural community in its broadest senses is crucial and we have the facilities to achieve that at the Showground.”
“I grew up in an agricultural community in Norfolk and coming to Lincolnshire with its agricultural heritage was like coming home,” added Professor Chiddick. “I have been involved in the Farm Board in the county for the last 20 years and have seen major changes in agriculture during that time. As President, I am keen to see a successful County Show which drives these vital themes of education and sustainability in agriculture.”
The appointment come at an exciting time for the Society, following the publication of a recent economic impact survey which shows that a massive £44m is being injected into the national economy thanks to the Lincolnshire Events Centre, which attracts over 215,000 visitors a year.
The Lincolnshire Events Centre is the Agricultural Society’s commercial operating arm and brings together agricultural, educational and conferencing activities.
The £7m EPIC Centre at the Showground was opened two years ago, providing a conference and events facility, capable of hosting conferences, balls and seminars, and is designed also as an educational resource and state-of-the-art events centre for up to 1,900 people.
Environmental sustainability is at the core of these recent developments, and is a defining theme of a proposed master-plan now being drawn up for the Showground.
Also leading the Society during 2011 is John Lockwood, who continues in his role as Chairman for a third year. Master of the Burton Hunt and a former High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, he runs the family property company, Castle Square Developments, alongside the family farm.
The Lord Taylor of Holbeach, CBE, has been named President Elect for 2010.
ENDS
559 words
Media enquiries:
Laura Luty at Lincolnshire Events Centre inc Lincolnshire Agricultural Society lluty@lincs-events.co.uk - 01522 585501
Lincolnshire Events Centre is a major national conferencing venue, home of the Lincolnshire Show and the groundbreaking EPIC project. Just outside the historic city of Lincoln, the Centre hosts events for 10 to 10,000 visitors on its 200 acre showground site and 3000 square metres of indoor exhibition and venue space.
Outdoor events include the flagship Lincolnshire Show, antiques fairs and horse trials, attracting over 200,000 visitors each year. Under cover, there are exhibition halls and conferencing facilities, including the recently completed EPIC centre, the second largest purpose-designed showcase for environmental technologies in the UK, it enables event organisers to reduce, monitor and offset their carbon footprint.
A new economic impact survey has shown that a massive £44m is being injected into the national economy thanks to the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society’s events centre, which attracts over 215,000 visitors a year.
That’s equivalent to £120,000 and over 600 visitors for every single day of the year.
The annual County Show attracted 65,000 visitors in 2010.
Antiques fairs are held six times a year, each attracting 3000 antiques traders from across Europe
Other events range from a reception for 600 guests at an Asian wedding through to smaller events, like board meetings and staff training days.
And, according to the research, which was backed by West Lindsey District Council, the Centre is making a massive contribution to both the local and national economy.
It’s good news for the county against the backdrop of economic recession and public sector cuts, and, says the chief executive Mark Farmer, a big justification for the £1m injection of investment made by the County Council and £250,000 by West Lindsey District Council in 2007, with around half of the income generated staying in the East Midlands economy each year at a value of £22m.
The study was carried out to help guide future growth plans for the Lincolnshire Events Centre, and it demonstrates how successful the Lincolnshire Events Centre has been in attracting big events and boosting tourism.
“The annual County Show is a big earner for the economy and a major tourism attraction, alongside the city’s Cathedral and Castle,” said Mark Farmer, “But it’s not just about the Show nowadays, as we have expanded to become a major year-round regional conferencing and outdoor events centre.”
The £7m EPIC Centre at the Showground was opened two years ago, providing a conference and events facility, capable of hosting conferences, balls and seminars, and is designed also as an educational resource and state-of-the-art events centre for up to 1,900 people. Environmental sustainability is at the core of these recent developments, and is a defining theme of a proposed master-plan now being drawn up for the Showground.
The Show and other events at the Showground boost local hotels and B&Bs too, creating demand for 18,400 overnight stays locally. Around 20% relates to the Show, the balance being drawn by major events such as Arthur Swallows antiques fairs, which draw 3000 traders from across the UK and overseas and attract 72,000 visitors every year. Other big draws are Grapevine, the major national religious festival, the Lincolnshire Steam and Vintage Rally, the Warner Motorhome event and this year, the British Motorcycle Federation season finale.
For the future, the Centre’s forward booking list also includes a number of high profile outdoor music concerts from big name promoters.
As well as the direct economic impact of the Lincolnshire Show, the researchers found that there was a positive financial impact on the schools, churches, charities and voluntary organisations in the area, through their involvement in the annual event.
The Lincolnshire Events Centre is the commercial operating arm of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society.
ENDS
488 words
Media enquiries:
Laura Luty at Lincolnshire Events Centre inc Lincolnshire Agricultural Society lluty@lincs-events.co.uk - 01522 585501
Lincolnshire Events Centre is a major national conferencing venue, home of the Lincolnshire Show and the groundbreaking EPIC project. Just outside the historic city of Lincoln, the Centre hosts events for 10 to 10,000 visitors on its 200 acre showground site and 3000 square metres of indoor exhibition and venue space.
Outdoor events include the flagship Lincolnshire Show, antiques fairs and horse trials, attracting over 200,000 visitors each year. Under cover, there are exhibition halls and conferencing facilities, including the recently completed EPIC centre, the second largest purpose-designed showcase for environmental technologies in the UK, it enables event organisers to reduce, monitor and offset their carbon footprint.
