CCTV systems are a common part of everyday life. They can be seen in the streets, outside people's homes and in most shops and supermarkets. They keep a watchful eye over us and make it easy to identify perpetrators when a crime has been committed. 

As with all modern technologies, there was a time when our society existed without CCTV (can you imagine!) In fact, the CCTV camera as we know it has only really existed for the last 80-100 years. Let's delve into the history of CCTV to see where it originated and what it was used for. 

The first mechanical CCTV system

The first recorded CCTV system was created by the famous Russian inventor, Léon Theremin in 1927. The system was, as you can imagine, fairly simple and consisted of a manually-operated camera that sent images through a wireless shortwave transmitter and receiver, with a resolution of only 100 lines. 

This CCTV system was quickly recognised as something that could prove very useful to the Russian state and was shown to Joseph Stalin, Semyon Budyonny and Sergo Ordzhonikidze. Once they saw its potential, they requested that this rudimentary CCTV system be installed around the courtyard of the Moscow Kremlin so that security could monitor visitors.

CCTV in WW2

Another example of early CCTV was used by Germany to observe the launch of V-2 rockets in 1942. This CCTV system was created by an electrical engineer called Walter Bruch who was one of the pioneers of German television. This CCTV system was very successful and got people thinking about different ways this technology could be used. 

Commercial CCTV

Commercial CCTV systems didn't hit the market in the United States until 1949. The earliest known commercial CCTV system was called Vericon. Sadly, few records remain to explain what Vericon was, how it worked, or what it was used for. We do know that it was advertised as 'not requiring a government permit' which made it easily accessible to home and business owners for the first time. 

CCTV in the streets

CCTV was being sold commercially, so you'd think it would've exploded onto our streets and into public areas... but this wasn't really the case. The MET trialled a CCTV system in the streets in July 1960 to oversee the arrival of the Thai royal family. Throughout the 60s, different cities across the country including Leeds and Liverpool installed CCTV systems to see if they could make public spaces safer. These trials showed that the idea of having CCTV systems everywhere at the time was unrealistic because it would cost too much to wire it in. 

Widespread CCTV

During the 70s and 80s, CCTV became cheaper and easier to install, so high-risk establishments like shopping stores and banks began to use them. Later, in the 1980s, local authorities began installing CCTV on roads and in streets. Nowadays, CCTV can be found just about everywhere!

READ MORE: How Does CCTV Work?

IDS Security

Here at IDS Security, we have been installing CCTV systems for more than twenty years! We use the most modern technologies on the market and we're specialists in the design, installation and maintenance of bespoke CCTV systems. We work with home and business owners to keep their properties safe. Learn more about our CCTV Systems here:

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If you have any questions about our CCTV systems or any of the other security systems we offer, give us a call on 029 20 753 251.

You can never be overly cautious when it comes to protecting your home or business and the valuables within it. That is why so many home and business owners across the country install effective security systems that allow constant monitoring of their property. But how many cameras are enough? One, two or a complete system which covers your entire property? 

The answer to that question ultimately lies with you, the owner, and the level of security and monitoring that you believe your property requires. If you have a lot of valuable belongings such as within a business that needs a higher degree of protection, then a full security system may be the best choice. However, if you have just one particular area that needs guarding, such as a garden shed or garage, then a one-camera CCTV system may be enough.

Here we talk through our one-camera CCTV systems and explain how they can be of great use to you! 

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We're moving into a transitionary period where things are (starting) to go back to normal, but sadly, coronavirus is here to stay. Until a reliable treatment or vaccine is released, home and business owners need to take extra precautions, especially when it comes to old or vulnerable people. 

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CCTV cameras are commonly used to monitor commercial premises such as offices and warehouses. They are useful for deterring criminals, and if a break-in does occur, CCTV footage can serve as evidence of the crime and help the police to identify the perpetrator.

These are all great reasons to protect your business with a CCTV system. But is it worth setting up CCTV cameras outside your home, too?

Bernard Hogan-Howe, the former head of the Metropolitan Police, thinks so. In 2015, he advocated putting CCTV "in every home" to help police detectives solve more crimes.

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When it comes to protecting your home with top-tier security equipment, the cost of some systems may be enough to put people off. But never fear! You don’t have to risk putting your property in danger for the sake of saving some pennies as there are a bunch of DIY home security ideas that you can implement to increase the safety of your home. Protecting yourself, your family and all of your treasured belongings inside. So, let’s take a look.

1.      Installing DIY Home Security Cameras

Installing security cameras is one of the obvious and effective home security tips available – did you know that homes with security systems are 300% less likely to be broken into? The great thing about security cameras is that there is a wide range available on the market, so regardless of your budget or security requirements, you are most definitely able to find something that suits you. The most common places where intruders break into homes are at the front door, windows, garages and basements. So, installing a camera at these locations on your home should go some way to increase the protection of your home.

2.    Putting Up Signs & Stickers

A relatively cheap and effective form of DIY home security is to erect signs and place stickers around your home, namely on the lawn. These usually indicate that there are security measure present and installed on the property. Now, whether they work or not is anybody’s guess, but security signs and stickers will most definitely make burglars take notice and think twice about breaking in. More experienced intruders may not fall for this attempt to foil their intentions, so best to pair the signs and stickers with a camera for added security.

3.      Keeping Your Garden & Landscape Tidy

Tall, thick, bushy and unkept shrubs and hedges are the perfect places for potential burglars to hide. A very simple DIY home security tip that you can implement fairly quickly is to keep your brushed trimmed and your lawn mowed, leaving intruders with no place to hide around your property. Even better, to provide an extra layer of protection around your home, why not plant offensive plants such as thorny bushes, bougainvillaeas or cactus. These plants can provide an inhospitable hiding place and even go some way to injuring the intruder.

4.      Close Blinds & Curtains

Probably the most obvious DIY home security tip; close your blinds and curtains! Especially when you are out and not in your home. By providing a means to look into your home and advertising your possessions is a sure-fire way to increase the chances of your house being burgled. Eliminate this by simply closing off the inside of your property to the public, this way your home will less likely be targeted.

5.      Secure/Dispose of Valuable Documents

One thing that often goes amiss with home security is personal data. Over the last decade or so, gaining access to people’s personal data has become increasingly popular and a cause for concern for every household, leading to identity fraud and a whole host of problems. This is often caused by individuals either not disposing of the personal documents properly or not keeping them in a safe enough place. Bills, invoices and statements that contain sensitive personal information should always be kept away in a safe and secure place and thrown away, should be done in the correct way i.e. shredded.

6.      Install Light Timers

For homeowners that are often away from their property most of the day, a simple way to improve home security is to install light timers. These can be set up to turn the lights on in your home at a certain time of the day or night. If a home has its lights on, the chances of it being targeted by an intruder are somewhat reduced as they believe someone is inside and would carry a risk to enter.

7.      Set Up a Neighbourhood Watch

Teamwork makes the dream work, right? Why not combat crime in neighbourhoods by setting up a neighbourhood watch where members of your close community take responsibility for observing and reporting suspicious behaviour. This will lead to increased communication between your community and could even get the word out to potential intruders that your home and neighbourhood is one that should be avoided.

8.      Be Cautious on Social Media

Going on holiday? Be sure to not let your hundreds or thousands of friends know on your social media profiles. Your home is more likely to be targeted if people know it is empty because you and your family are away on holiday. A good DIY home security tip is to share your experiences and holidays away once you have arrived back.

9.      Get a Guard Dog

Dogs are not only man’s best friend and a companion for life, but they also make a great deterrent to intruders. Now, we’re not encouraging you to just get a dog just to increase your home’s security as there are definitely cheaper ways that require far less attention and commitment, however, if a guard is something you are interested in be sure to get the right one. Pick a breed of dog that is not only easy to train but is bright enough to sustain the training you give them, such as German Shepherd and Dobermans. Teach your dog basic obedience and keep practising every day until you feel comfortable to allow your dog to roam freely and secure your home.

10.      Invest in Home Alarms

Now, if money isn’t much of an issue for you and you would like to add a guaranteed measure of security for your home, an alarm system is a way to go. Like security cameras, there is a variety of home security alarms available on the market that suit whatever needs you may have. But these don’t always have to deter potential intruders, they can also protect your home from the dangers of smoke and carbon monoxide. Integrating home alarms with other methods of DIY home security is the best way to ensure your home is fully protected all-year-round.

Here at IDS Security Systems, we provide homes up and down the country with sophisticated home security systems that increase the safety of both the people and possessions inside, whilst acting as an effective deterrent to unwanted visitors. From CCTV cameras to intruder and fire alarms, our range of security systems goes some way to ensuring homes are as secure as they could possibly be from inside dangers as well as outside dangers.

If you are looking to bolster the security of your home with an effective home security system and are interested in what IDS can do for you, be sure to get in touch with a member of our team today. We would be more than happy to help and answer any DIY home security questions that you may have.

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