Integrated access control systems can help fight equine crime

Integrated access control systems featuring high-end alarms and latest-generation CCTV surveillance could be a solution to combat the surge in thefts targeting horse owners across rural Staffordshire.

More than 35 incidents have been reported to Staffordshire Police, including the theft of more than £20,000 worth of saddlery from Eccleshall, a news source can reveal.

The recent rise in thefts has been described as “exceptional” by PCSO Lucy Hadfield, co-ordinator of the Staffordshire Horsewatch Scheme, which helps the equestrian community by sharing information on suspicious incidents and promoting tack marking sessions, according to the same source.

Local authorities and security groups are urging the equine community to consider installing CCTV systems, computerised door access systems, infrared beam protection and gates or barriers in order to prevent further thefts.

This comes as the NFU Mutual’s Rural Crimes Survey 2014 estimated the cost of equine and livestock-related equipment stolen in the UK to be £1.3m of the total £44.5m cost, with many victims underinsuring their equine interest.

Tensor Integrated Access Control Systems deliver superior security and reliability

Horse owners who’re looking for ways to improve their security and prevent crime can do so by installing a comprehensive, high-end CCTV surveillance system, fully integrated with a secure and reliable Access Control solution.

Tensor has an extensive experience in both segments (CCTV and Access Control) and we are able to easily offer such an extensive level of functionality for all of our systems.

As they’re built around the same cutting-edge technology platform, Tensor.NET, both the WinAC.NET and WinTA.NET suites support an extensive level of CCTV integration.

Video clips retrieved from CCTV cameras are associated with access control activity are available when CCTV is integrated with Tensor.NET.

The cameras are allocated to location entries created in Tensor.NET, which are then linked to smart card scanners or push buttons in the Hardware Manager. Furthermore, multiple cameras can be allocated to the same location, or multiple locations can be assigned to the same camera and lock sensors are connected directly to the CCTV’s DVR.

As a lock is released, an alarm event triggers the recording of video footage for the event. This footage is then available for playback in Tensor.NET, either by location or as a link in an access control report. Screen displays are provided to report upon access events, including links to play the related video clip.

Additionally, the application allows either live or historic video to be viewed for periods not linked to any specific Access Control event.

If you’d like to find out more about Tensor’s CCTV integration options, as well as the multiple useful features provided by our Time and Attendance and Access Control systems, just contact us or Book a Demo, we’ll be sure to answer all of your queries on the matter.