Barnet Council is advancing its electronic surveillance system by collaborating with i-PRO and systems integrator DSSL in a comprehensive upgrade of its CCTV framework. This key initiative aims to bolster security, aid urban planning, and promote smart city ambitions in the borough.
Faced with an outdated and largely ineffective CCTV network, the council needed to replace the system while ensuring cost-effectiveness and scalability. Utilising i-PRO’s edge computing analytics allowed for the implementation of a versatile technology that not only ensures robust security and safety but also delivers critical data insights for both business and community development.
Barnet Council serves as the governing body for the London Borough of Barnet, home to nearly 350,000 residents in a diverse area that includes Hendon, Finchley, and other urban centres as well as rural settlements like Totteridge. The previous CCTV system had fallen into disrepair, with only a small fraction operational, prompting the council to upgrade to smarter, more insightful technology capable of finding efficiencies and enhancing service quality.
The council adopted a phased upgrade approach, integrating i-PRO cameras with a newly enhanced control room and Genetec video management system (VMS) via the X-series AI Processing Relay Application. The transition to i-PRO was motivated by its cost-saving AI capabilities, projected to save around £600,000 over five years compared to server-based options. Importantly, this scalable solution also allows Barnet to expand its camera network without additional server infrastructure needs.
“A key factor in the decision was the ability of i-PRO cameras to serve as multifunctional sensors, capturing both security footage and valuable urban analytics. The cameras are used for people and vehicle counting, feeding real-time data into Power BI for internal council reports,” explained Aaron Stephens, Managing Director at DSSL Systems.
The analytics derived from the upgraded security system have played a crucial role in planning future projects, including expanding CCTV coverage in key areas such as parks and railway stations. These insights assist local businesses in analysing customer footfall and guiding investment decisions, thereby aiding the council in efficient traffic management and public space utilisation.
“Unlike traditional server-based AI technology, which places a heavy burden on network infrastructure, i-PRO cameras process analytics on the edge, transmitting only metadata rather than large video files,” continued Stephens. This edge-based approach leads to reduced costs and quicker data processing, while adherence to stringent cyber security standards ensures data integrity during transmission.
The deployment involved installing 127 X-series bullet cameras for general monitoring, 10 fisheye cameras equipped for heat-mapping in libraries, and dual-view 5G cameras for events. These installations play key roles in security and crowd monitoring, with features like audio detection for alerts in unmanned libraries.
Beyond surveillance, the use of redeployable 5G cameras at public events offers valuable crowd insights for event planning in Barnet’s culturally diverse community. The council’s £1 million investment leveraged existing infrastructure to expand data capabilities without incurring significant new costs, with further expansion already underway.
Phase two of the upgrade has been approved, adding 60-70 new i-PRO bullet cameras. Barnet’s smart city teams are extending the use of i-PRO’s technology into advanced applications, such as people and vehicle analytics, and are trialing automatic number plate recognition.
Looking ahead, Barnet is exploring IoT integrations including environmental sensors and traffic coordination systems to enhance its smart city infrastructure further. Stephens noted that i-PRO’s compliance with security standards and deep integration within Genetec solutions reinforced the council’s confidence in the system.
The project exemplified the potential of data-driven planning, expected to lead to optimised public expenditure and informed infrastructure investments. As more councils realise the benefits, Barnet’s approach may set a benchmark for smart city technology adoption.
