Car Park Security: Cameras And Surveillance

Car parks are usually uninviting places, but it's important to ensure the safety of customers and their vehicles. To prevent theft and vandalism, many car parks have security cameras installed. These cameras are typically placed at the entrance and exit points of the car park, as well as in areas with restricted access, such as disabled parking bays. The majority of car parks have cameras, and they are usually placed in plain sight. The type of camera installed can vary, with some designed for field view and others capable of capturing even the tiniest details, such as license plates.

Crime reduction and prevention of vandalism and theft

Car parks often have cameras installed to improve security and reduce crime. These cameras can help prevent theft and vandalism, and their presence can act as a visual deterrent against anti-social behaviour.

One type of camera system used in car parks is the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera. ANPR cameras are strategically placed at entry and exit points to capture clear images of all vehicles entering and exiting the car park. The cameras use optical character recognition to automatically read number plates, and they can handle various conditions, including bad weather, poor lighting, and different number plate formats.

The ANPR system compares the captured licence plate numbers against a database of registered vehicles or a list of authorised or prohibited plates. This allows for the identification of vehicles that have violated parking regulations or have a flagged number plate, enabling automatic alerts or ticketing.

In addition to ANPR cameras, professional security camera systems can also be utilised in car parks. These systems typically offer features such as motion detection, night vision, and continuous 24-hour recordings, ensuring that any incidents of theft or vandalism are captured on video. The flexibility of camera placement allows for coverage of all angles, maximising the chances of identifying perpetrators.

By implementing these security measures, car parks can enhance their overall security, deter criminal activity, and provide valuable evidence in the event of an incident, contributing to a safer environment for both vehicles and customers.

Capturing number plates

ANPR cameras use optical character recognition to automatically read number plates on cars, vans, and any other vehicles entering and exiting a car park. The cameras are strategically positioned at entry and exit points to capture clear images of all vehicles. ANPR cameras can also be set up on high structures such as columns or overhead beams to ensure a clear view of the number plates as vehicles pass underneath.

When a vehicle approaches the ANPR camera, its high-resolution image sensors automatically capture detailed images of the number plate. The camera's sensor captures multiple images to increase the chances of obtaining a clear and legible image. The image data is then processed using advanced technological algorithms. The image is analysed to locate the number plate region and separate it from the rest of the image, disregarding irrelevant information such as logos or decorative elements.

ANPR cameras can handle various conditions, including bad weather, poor lighting, and different number plate formats from other countries. This is due to the camera's built-in infrared (IR) illumination, which illuminates the number plate in low-light conditions to ensure a clear image. ANPR cameras can accurately read number plates from fast-moving vehicles at multiple angles.

Once the number plate characters are recognised, the segmented characters are passed through an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) algorithm, which interprets the alphanumeric characters and converts them into machine-readable text. The validated characters are then extracted as text data and stored along with additional information such as the time of entry, exit, date, and vehicle location.

The captured licence plate number is then compared against a database of registered vehicles or a list of authorised or prohibited plates, depending on the purpose of the ANPR system. Based on the comparison, the system can generate alerts for enforcement personnel or carry out automatic ticketing if parking regulations are violated or a flagged number plate is detected.

ANPR cameras offer several benefits for car park management, including easy vehicle management, 24/7 monitoring, acting as a visual deterrent against anti-social behaviour, and generating valuable data on vehicle types, parking duration, and payment methods.

Customer experience and safety

Car parks are often uninviting places, and customers, especially women, can feel vulnerable to assaults and other crimes. Installing cameras in car parks can help to deter and prevent crime, thereby improving the customer experience and making customers feel more secure.

Cameras can also help to resolve parking disputes and parking damage claims. For example, cameras with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology can capture clear images of number plates, helping to identify vehicles involved in parking incidents. This technology can also help car park operators to manage access to restricted areas, such as disabled parking bays, and to monitor payment stations.

In addition to improving safety and security, cameras can also help to optimise the layout and management of a car park. For instance, by analysing data on vehicle types, parking duration, and payment methods, operators can make informed decisions about the design and operation of their car park, such as the inclusion of EV charging bays.

While cameras can enhance customer safety and experience, they also raise privacy concerns. It is important that any data collected by car park cameras is used and stored legally, in compliance with relevant data protection laws and regulations.

Overall, the use of cameras in car parks can help to create a safer, more customer-friendly environment, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Data protection and privacy

Car parks often use automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to monitor vehicles entering and exiting their premises. This technology, combined with infrared light, allows cameras to capture clear images of number plates, even in low-light conditions. ANPR cameras are typically placed at entry and exit points, as well as in restricted areas within the car park, such as disabled parking bays.

While the use of ANPR cameras offers several benefits to car park management, it also raises data protection and privacy concerns. Car park operators must ensure that they comply with relevant data protection laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union and the Data Protection Act in the UK.

To ensure data protection and privacy, car park operators should only collect and store personal data for specified and legitimate purposes. This data should be kept secure and only retained for as long as necessary. For example, APCOA, a car park management company, states that they will delete personal information after six years of inactivity. Additionally, they will permanently delete camera monitoring data once there is no reason to retain it, typically within 30 days.

Another important aspect of data protection is transparency. Car park operators should inform customers about the presence of cameras and the reason for their use. Signs should be posted to notify individuals that their parking duration is being monitored by cameras.

Some companies, like Parquery, take additional steps to protect privacy. They employ strategies such as mounting cameras at high points to prevent the recording of sensitive data. They also automatically blur images of faces and number plates to ensure anonymization. Parquery also allows customers to opt for on-site image processing and analysis, ensuring that no data leaves the customer's premises.

Overall, while car parks may have cameras for various operational and security reasons, it is crucial for them to adhere to data protection laws and respect individuals' privacy rights. This includes being transparent about data collection, securing data, and retaining it only for as long as necessary.

Camera placement and visibility

The cameras should be installed in a way that ensures a clear view of the vehicles and number plates. This may involve mounting them on high structures such as columns or overhead beams. Car parks with low ceilings can benefit from using fixed domes with wide-angle lenses to capture both lanes and parking spaces.

To optimise visibility, cameras with high resolution are recommended to keep the number of installed cameras to a minimum. This is especially important in car parks with varying lighting conditions, from very dark to very bright areas. Cameras with a wide dynamic range function can enhance the visibility of details in both dark and light ranges.

The visibility of cameras in car parks can be a deterrent to criminal activity, such as theft and vandalism. The presence of cameras can also provide a sense of security for customers, particularly women who may feel vulnerable in car parks.

In summary, strategic camera placement and the use of appropriate camera technology are crucial for effective surveillance and visibility in car parks.

Frequently asked questions