Case Study - More coverage for less: ANPR done right

Background

Business East Tamaki was founded in 1994 and operated for 15 years as a voluntary subscription based organisation. In 2009, business and property owners in the Business East Tamaki area voted to invest in improvements to enhance the local business environment and economic growth of the area by adopting the Business Improvement District (BID) programme, funded by a targeted rate collected by Auckland Council.

Business East Tamaki has been operating a small CCTV system for some years. Business East Tamaki were looking to expand their CCTV network but were concerned their current cameras were no longer fit for purpose.

SaferCities Engagement

SaferCities were engaged by Business East Tamaki in May 2024 to provide consulting services to assess the current CCTV system and develop a forward-looking strategy.
In July 2024, SaferCities conducted comprehensive site visits and held a series of meetings with key stakeholders, including representatives from BET management.

After gaining a clear understanding of the requirements, challenges, and aspirations for the BID area, SaferCities produced a high-level design and requirements documentation that outlined a scalable and cost-effective CCTV solution.
Our design proposed a system that not only met current needs but also provided a foundation for future network expansion and more comprehensive coverage of the area.

We presented the proposed solution to BET management for review and discussion. Following this, SaferCities facilitated a small tender process between the incumbent provider and another local security company.
We assessed the proposals based on technical performance, service quality, and value for money. SaferCities then discussed the results with all stakeholders, ensuring transparency and consensus in the selection process.
After careful consideration, BET selected a new security provider aligned with their objectives for performance, cost-efficiency, and community safety.

SaferCities subsequently worked closely with the chosen provider to oversee implementation, ensuring all installations met the agreed specifications, network design, and performance standards.

Outcomes and Benefits

Three new ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras were installed at key entry and exit points for the cost of one of their existing ANPR cameras representing a significant cost saving while improving operational coverage.
The new cameras delivered superior performance, particularly in accuracy and image clarity, resulting in fewer false positives and more reliable data capture.

Additionally, SaferCities provided comprehensive documentation and design plans to guide future system enhancements.

Conclusion

Through this engagement, Business East Tamaki now has a modernised, scalable CCTV system backed by a clear roadmap for future growth.
The collaboration with SaferCities not only delivered immediate improvements in surveillance capability but also laid the foundation for a long-term community strategy.

What we did