Keeping Housing Estates Safe for Residents

A UK local housing authority with estates spread across six towns uses Synectics’ Synergy software and IP cameras to improve safety and support services for its residents.

Central monitoring of multiple estates

The housing authority is responsible for over 40 high-rise estates across the borough. Each site has local recording capabilities, but not all include manned viewing stations. The authority has leveraged Synergy's multi-site capabilities to address this and deliver ‘always on’ surveillance monitoring for all locations.

Feeds from over 830 cameras – predominantly Synectics IP cameras – located in lifts, communal internal areas, entrances and exits, and areas surrounding each housing block are networked to the dedicated central control room.

From this central control room, up to seven operators can view and manage footage from individual workstations and a display wall, prioritising any activity requiring attention for appropriate incident monitoring and response.  

24/7 support with integrated comms and access control

It’s not just surveillance monitoring that is centralised. Intercom and door entry systems for each site have also been integrated, enabling the authority to offer a 24/7 concierge service for its residents.

This allows operators to remotely monitor and control entry to housing blocks, allowing residents and approved visitors access while preventing unwanted visitors from gaining entry.

Integrated handsets in public areas and individual flats also allow residents to contact the control room’s concierge service with concerns about antisocial behaviour or suspicious activity, report damage and needed repairs, and request general assistance.

Mapping for incident response and security planning  

Synergy’s mapping capabilities aid fast and appropriate responses to incoming calls and incidents.

Operators can seamlessly switch between GIS mapping capabilities and CAD maps of each specific housing block, with cameras, entrance systems, intercoms, and other contextual information clearly shown on screen for enhanced situational awareness. This includes the location of re-deployable cameras, which are used to target any hot spot areas, for example, to deter antisocial behaviour.

With accurate and up-to-date data at their fingertips, operators can more appropriately manage the response, from ensuring that the correct team is dispatched to the right location for maintenance issues to ensuring security or emergency support personnel know the best route to provide necessary support.

Simplifying surveillance, supporting residents

Commenting on the project, Synectics’ Brett Longley said “Even if local recording solutions already in place are from a mix of providers – often the case where housing estates have expanded over time – Synergy’s open architecture means video from any equipment and location can always be integrated, monitored, and managed centrally.”