Out of the Box

NOW THAT’S A GOOD IDEA… BODYCAMS

Body Worn Cameras

THE LATEST GENERATION OF BODY WORN CAMERAS COMBINE LIVE AUDIO AND VIDEO STREAMING WITH GPS USER LOCATION TO ENHANCE WORKER SAFETY

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?

Bodycams.

HAVEN’T THEY BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE?

Yes, several retailers already use them, but the latest generation of body worn cameras combine the benefits of live audio and video stream functionality with GPS user location all in a single, compact device. Bodycams have been proven to enhance worker safety, particularly lone workers, by accelerating response decision-making and improve speed of response when incidents do occur in-store. They can also help prevent incidents from escalating and provide powerful evidence capture.

HOW DO THEY WORK?

The body cams are linked direct to alarm receiving centres (ARCs) where operators can respond to issues in real time. According to lone worker solutions specialist Reliance Protect, their new VB400 bodycam overcomes many of the problems of traditional safety devices and smartphone apps which are usually audio only. This means SRC staff have to interpret events as they unfold only through what they can hear. Lone workers are sometimes also given body worn cameras to act as incident deterrents and to capture evidence, which means that they have to carry two devices which can be awkward and cumbersome.

AND THE NEW GENERATION SOLUTIONS OVERCOME THIS?

Exactly. The VB400, for instance, combines live audio, video and location information for when users want to raise the alarm and have the incident monitored and escalated for response. If the user doesn’t want to raise an incident to be monitored, they can also just use the camera to capture video evidence.

WHAT’S THE KIT LIKE?

Small, high definition (1080p), 12 hour battery life, pre/post record options to capture interactions leading up to and after an incident, GPS, Bluetooth. Neat. Live stream footage can be accessed by Reliance Protect’s ARC, where incidents can be monitored as they happen, enabling faster decisions on the most appropriate and effective course of action. The video files are automatically uploaded, stored and managed securely in the cloud, where they can also be edited.

WHAT’S RELIANCE PROTECT SAYING?

Lone Worker Services Director, Chris Allcard, says: “Local retailers are at a heightened risk from theft, violence and assault. Audio functionality and associated location information has been well established within lone worker safety solutions for many years but combining it with live video presents a far more effective solution for understanding what’s going on before, during and after an incident.

Giving the user the option to just record video for evidence, or raise an alarm with a live stream gives the user the best of both worlds. Not only do body worn cameras offer a more comprehensive way to gather evidence, they act as an overt deterrent when an individual exhibits aggressive behaviour.”

HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE?

Visit or email protectsales@reliancehightech.co.uk.