How CCTV can help Britain’s Housing crisis
- Technology comes to the fore as gadgets and apps seen at CIH Housing
- Use of latest technologies pave the way to tackling new build construction thefts
- Turnaround times for empty homes continues to play a significant role
VPS, the market leader in vacant property management, approaches this week’s Chartered Institute of Housing conference with ground-breaking technologies that aim to help the housing crisis both in new build construction and improving turnaround times for voids.
"We are showing a raft of new technologies introduced this year to our Local Authority, Housing Association and ALMO customers at CIH Housing.” explains Anthony Owen, Managing Director for VPS. "Our SmartTower CCTV is a totally mobile, stand-alone security solution ideal for protecting construction sites and also for properties that have become temporarily vacant in areas where 24/7 monitoring is considered necessary or at least to the advantage of the surrounding community.”
“Plant theft & vandalism costs the construction industry over £1 million per week. A one-off single site theft can typically cost £50,000 in materials, plant & damage. But there are additional spin-off costs than just the stolen goods. The building of new homes can be severely delayed by such thefts.” Says Mr Owen.
The SmartTower CCTV includes the UK’s most advanced alarm that can be installed rapidly, without external power, and respond immediately to alerts via wireless sensors. In May, it won a US Government security award in Washington, DC for perimeter security.
“If a housing association is suddenly experiencing problems in a specific area, this unit can also be rapidly deployed and help manage the risks quickly, maximising protection at minimum cost. The better an empty home is looked after and protected, the quicker new tenants can move in.” Mr Owen concludes.
In addition to the SmartTower, VPS’ Inspection IQ app was launched last month. This innovation ensures that property inspections are comprehensive, providing proof of presence and that no location on a site is missed.
The app is loaded onto handheld devices that provide near field communication to track where the inspector has been, supplemented by Geotags placed strategically on site, such as by meter boxes or items of particular value. The smart devices will time stamp each part of the inspection and any photos taken by the inspector, which can then be uploaded.
Facilities managers, landlords or site operators can find out immediately if there have been any changes to the state of risk to a location. Guarding a vacant property or site is not always affordable or necessary. The combination of people and technology that VPS' Inspection Services offer, means a flexible alternative to guards, saving time and money. And add together mobile patrols with on site alarms, our clients can have the benefits of guards but at a far lower cost.
At any one time, VPS secure more than 50,000 properties and employ over 1600 staff in locations across the UK and mainland Europe. They specialise in securing, maintaining and managing vacant property across a wide range of customer and industry sectors.
Core building services cover the vacant, unoccupied and void property lifecycle from an initial risk assessment, to security, including guarding, monitoring, clearing, cleaning, maintenance and preparation. These services protect properties against unauthorised access and a variety of hazards such as arson, theft, squatting and unauthorised occupation.
The SmartTower CCTV will be seen for the first time at CIH Housing on Stand F32
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Notes for editors
Checklist key facts to the VPS SmartTower CCTV:
The rapidly deployable towers enhance existing perimeter protection with a multi-layered solution comprising:
- a 96db siren to warn intruders
- infra-red and white light for areas prone to vandalism
- 30x zoom to see even the most isolated areas
- Voice-Over-IP for real-time communication
- wireless connectivity for installation anywhere
Checklist key facts to the VPS Investigator IQ app:
VPS Inspection IQ:
- Totally Traceable Inspections™, with Geotag technology providing proof of presence and proof of site inspection route
- Inspection cannot be completed if any specific sites on property have been missed
- Insurance compliant use of time-stamps, photographs and meter readings
- Alerts immediately any changes to the state of property or risk to it
44(0)77 222 82 946 Mobile phone
graham.sievers@perfectlypicked.com
About the VPS Group:
VPS secure more than 50,000 properties and employ over 1600 staff in locations across the UK, and mainland Europe. They specialise in securing, maintaining and managing vacant property across a wide range of customer and industry sectors.
Core building services cover the vacant, unoccupied and void property lifecycle from an initial risk assessment, to security, including guarding, monitoring, clearing, cleaning, maintenance and preparation. These services protect properties against unauthorised access and a variety of hazards such as arson, theft, squatting and unauthorised occupation. www.vpspecialists.co.uk/
