Shoppers safer with CCTV.

An overwhelming majority of people would feel safer in public places if more security cameras and surveillance cameras are in operation, according to a recent survey conducted by electronic security retailer, OzSpy.

Craig Mitchell, MD of OzSpy, said 77 per cent of respondents indicated they would feel safer while shopping, dining and doing business in public places if security cameras were installed.

“Considering that police resources are already stretched to the limit with the rising levels of violence, the increasing spate of armed robberies and other major criminal activity right around Australia, residents are growing more concerned about their safety while out in public,” he said.

According to Mitchell, 73 per cent of the survey’s national respondents felt that robbery of businesses has increased, and 67 per cent are seeing and hearing more accounts of violent robbery.

“While alarms are great deterrents, CCTV can provide evidence in the incidence of a robbery taking place,” Mitchell said. He said another thing working in retailers favours is the falling prices of sophisticated electronic surveillance equipment.

This has given business operators an opportunity to use surveillance technology to deter criminals and in the situation where a crime has been committed, the CCTV footage can provide critical evidence to assist in police prosecution of the offenders.

Mitchell said CCTV surveillance systems are a more economical means of deterring crime.

“With the available tax benefits, potentially lower insurance premiums and the resulting profit and productivity gains where camera surveillance is used, there is little reason for not acting now,” he said.

“Our stores across Australia have reported that business owners are using the approach of the end of financial year as an added reason to install high definition commercial CCTV and other camera systems ranging right through to basic but highly effective DIY systems.”

“Even our most advanced piece of surveillance equipment is now well within reach of the average retailer or business owner."