Real or Fake CCTV

[Christiane]

After someone mentioned to me that one of the high street retailers uses fake CCTV inside their shops, I'm wondering whether it's worth spending the £400 for the CCTV I want (5 cameras, records on PC hard drive, in case someone know cheaper!).

 

[DesignerNick]

I think it would be worth it.

Once somebody finds out it is fake (the expert lifters) you will get the town's shop lifters in your store.

 

[paulears]

People will steal with or without real cameras, with real ones, at least there is a chance of identifying them. I believe that fitting domes is a good compromise when you could double the number of apparent cameras that actually do work. If your computer system works ok for that outlay, I'd suggest it has a lot more value than dummy ones.

 

[deniser]

Fake really worked for us. Problem with real is you have to monitor it at the same time.

 

[serasan]

real will record what goes on and help you prosecute, also good at keeping staff on their toes!

 

[Christiane]

I would prefer real too, but monitoring and checking recordings could be time consumming, suppose we could only do it when we have suspicions...

I've not really shopped around for them properly.

 

[Mpg]

You can get decent 2nd hand off ebay for the price of dummy's. Real all the way.

You dont HAVE to monitor them (it'll help though)

 

[Christiane]

I would like to know which high street retailer has fake CCTV, as I thought that insurance insists on CCTV to be working at all times. I only know this as someone who has worked for me a few times has also worked for boots.
CCTV is cheap enough nowadays so you might as well go for real, also have a monitor/tv screen inside the shop so that customers can see its working

Maybe the insurance mentions where the real cctv works and they add fake ones in other areas? I couldn't believe he actually told me who it was (I did ask but didn't think he would name!), his wife worked there as a manager.

Ebay, here I come!

 

[Mpg]

My OH was robbed whilst working at H Samuel. They didnt have CCTV at the time as it cost to much and the stock was cheaper to replace.

 

[Mpg]

one of these
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CCTV-Dedicate...-/180638054995?pt=UK_CCTV&hash=item2a0eddfa53



With a few of these
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Honeywell-HD4DX-Security-Camera-/300535403816?pt=UK_CCTV&hash=item45f94e5528

or

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vista-VFDS4V9...-/300534144106?pt=UK_CCTV&hash=item45f93b1c6a



HTH

 

[DCE]

After someone mentioned to me that one of the high street retailers uses fake CCTV inside their shops, I'm wondering whether it's worth spending the £400 for the CCTV I want (5 cameras, records on PC hard drive, in case someone know cheaper!).

They are using all sorts of tricks now shoplifters, if the cameras are found to be dummy cameras, they are now, suing the owners for distress and damages because the cannot prove their innocence, if they are caught.

Protect yourself, get the evidence, so you, do not risk getting sued.

 

[Click2Post.co.uk]

I know of a well known discount chain with over 100 stores in the UK that has dummy CCTV camera's plastered all over their stores.

It was obvious to me they are fake because they just plain look it! If your going to invest in fake CCTV then don't buy cheap looking dummies.

 

[Mpg]

Buy knackered legit cameras if you want fake.

 

[deniser]

When we were trying to decide whether to get real or fake we asked the Crime Prevention Officer. He told us that it is almost impossible to get a conviction for shoplifting based on a CCTV recording. This is because, even if you can identify them after the event, they will just say it isn't them on the recording. And to be honest, the images are usually not very clear at all.

You have to actually catch them in the act by checking their bags after they have left the store.

So if you are not actively monitoring the cameras and then prepared to go and physically apprehend that person outside your store (which may be dangerous to an untrained person), you have absolutely nothing to gain. And shoplifters know this.

 

[Toby1968]

They are using all sorts of tricks now shoplifters, if the cameras are found to be dummy cameras, they are now, suing the owners for distress and damages because the cannot prove their innocence, if they are caught.

Protect yourself, get the evidence, so you, do not risk getting sued.

Don't you just love urban myths like this

Fake ones will deter the casual/oppertunist thief and most kids.

Real ones won't deter those that are going to steal anyway.

Guess it depends on the value of your stock, if it's expensive and worth the time and cost to prosecute then it maybe worthwhile having cctv.

 

[amdowney]

I have this and it's crackin!: CCTV System with iphone/remote pc viewing

 

[Christiane]

I have this and it's crackin!: CCTV System with iphone/remote pc viewing

Thanks, that's the type I want. Hopefully I can afford it after we move to the new unit at Easter!

 

[Merchant UK]

If you can get decent fake cameras then its at least its a deterent. These ones from Farnell look pretty decent (external) which could cover the outside of your premises

http://uk.farnell.com/defender-security/bts330-cm/camera-dummy/dp/5098890

and these Dummy Dome ones for internal http://uk.farnell.com/defender-security/dm330/dummy-dome-camera/dp/1775313

which are as real looking at the real ones

Plus don't forget your signs http://uk.farnell.com/defender-security/vkws-in/sign-cctv/dp/5098907

 

[AP1985]

It's always worth spending extra for security. CCTV isn't always a deterrent.

 

[Mathew.Charles]

A range of large high streets use fake CCTV cameras.