Definition
The use of video surveillance for physical security refers to closed circuit television (CCTV). CCTV is used as a generic term to describe one or more video cameras that are connected via a closed system to a central television monitor or recording device (Ratcliffe 2011). The terms video surveillance and CCTV are used interchangeably in this entry.
Introduction
Video surveillance systems are commonly employed as a physical security measure in many western countries. The number of cameras being used in the United Kingdom – an early leader in embracing the use of CCTV, through the support of the Home Office (Armitage 2002) – is estimated to be between two and six million (British Security Industry Association 2013; Gerrard and Thompson 2011; McCahill and Norris 2002). Almost half of all US police departments, and as high as 90% for large departments, use video cameras for surveillance of public areas (Reaves 2015). Several large US cities have invested heavily in video...
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Further Reading
Bowers, K. J., & Johnson, S. D. (2016). Situational crime prevention. In D. Weisburd, D. P. Farrington, & C. Gill (Eds.), What works in crime prevention and rehabilitation (pp. 111–135). New York: Springer.
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Morgan, A., Dowling, C. (2021). Physical Security: Video Surveillance, Equipment, and Training. In: Shapiro, L.R., Maras, MH. (eds) Encyclopedia of Security and Emergency Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-70488-3_222
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