When it comes to crime fighting and tracking down criminals, the police helicopter is an invaluable weapon. Loaded with the latest video and thermal imaging technologies, it provides a range of detection tools to deploy against lawbreakers.

But the downside to possessing such a powerful resource is that criminals are keen to neutralise its capabilities, as one police force in England found out recently when its helicopters were subjected to sabotage attacks whilst on the ground. 

To combat this threat Ganz Solutions was asked by the force to provide effective protection. The challenging task involved alerting staff to any potential intrusion and providing visual verification of incidents, in all weathers and under difficult lighting conditions.

During Ganz Solutions' initial site visit it was immediately apparent that the area of coverage requested by the police was large: approximately 300 x 600 metres.  The requirement was to detect any person(s) or vehicle crossing the airfield boundaries and moving towards the helicopter or helicopter hangar. 

Conventionally, the solution to such a request would involve the use of perimeter protection via CCTV cameras, either PTZ or static units - mounted on camera poles positioned every few metres - complete with external movement detectors and supplementary lighting.  But this type of installation can be expensive and, at best, only offer alarm-preset views of fixed areas covered by the external detectors.  Faced with moving targets, visual verification becomes very difficult without the presence of a real-time tracking detection system.

360° coverage

Ganz Solutions' innovative solution to the site-specific challenge involves the successful deployment of its Radar Vision system, which is capable of providing 360° coverage with long-range detection up to 1.6km (per unit). Indeed, Radar Vision has proved ideal for the large, relatively flat stretch of land involved in this installation. Radar Vision detects intruders, as well as visually tracking and verifying them. The system provides all-round site security using a combination of integrated technologies.

In operational terms, Radar Vision proactively alerts security staff to an intruder's (person or vehicle) presence and automatically tracks their movements in real-time using video. The system can also track and monitor multiple intruders at the same time. The radar units are coupled with Ganz C-AllView ruggedised PTZ cameras to outsmart intruders in all weather or lighting conditions. Ganz Thermal C-AllView cameras were used in this application, providing dual video streams from both the cameras' thermal core and optical module.  Tracking data collected from Radar Vision is used to automatically task Thermal C-AllView cameras to point in the direction of any intrusion, without any need for artificial lighting. The Radar Vision technology can also be integrated with any conventional CCTV system for video recording, or alternatively complemented with Ganz Solutions' Video Content Analysis tools using an IP network.

Steve Dunning, Business Development Manager (North) for Ganz Solutions, comments:  "We've been able to provide our client with a comprehensive early warning system through long-range 24/7 detection, including night time surveillance. We've also provided added-value by integrating with the pre-existing on-site surveillance system and enabling off-site control. The police helicopter is now fully protected from criminal attack, allowing the force to make full use of its airborne capabilities without any expensive distractions."

Reader enquiries to: Rina Patel, Marketing Dept, tel +44 (0) 208 732 3312, [email protected]

CBC (Europe) Ltd, 7/8 Garrick Industrial Estate, Irving Way, London NW9 6AQ, Tel + 44 (0) 20 8732 3324

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