Axis helps Witchford Village College cut theft, vandalism and tighten security

Network cameras from Axis Communications, the global leader in network video1, have been installed by Ely Telecom, working alongside Education ICT’s server engineers to deliver a modern IP-Surveillance solution at Witchford Village College, near Ely.

This village secondary school, which serves 900 11 to 16 year olds in this predominantly rural area, originally installed an analogue-based CCTV system covering the external areas around school buildings. However Witchford Village College was finding that this CCTV system was not preventing theft of high value information technology (IT) equipment inside school buildings. The school now has more than Ł250,000 of IT equipment as well as a large amount of science and music equipment which has been targeted in the past.

Ely Telecom is an approved contractor of Education ICT which provides IT support for all schools in Cambridgeshire. Ely Telecom and Education ICT worked together to improve security inside school buildings in order to prevent damage and theft of IT equipment; reduce the risk of the school being broken into; and improve security on reception in working hours - notably to deter unauthorised visitors from entering the main building.

A total of 28 Axis network cameras, including both AXIS 211 Network Cameras and AXIS 207 Network Cameras, were installed by Ely Telecom throughout the ICT suites, library and key corridors and storage areas during the summer of 2007. The integrator also installed a four Terabyte server which provided space for 14 days storage of all network video images. The school is also considering deploying Axis video servers to bring the external CCTV cameras onto the network. Further network cameras are likely to be deployed in other areas containing high value equipment.

Since the IP-Surveillance system was completed in August 2007, the school has experienced no incidents of theft or vandalism. Images can be monitored from two PCs using AXIS Camera Station software. The school’s site manager and two other authorised individuals are able to access these images. These individuals can gain access to the school’s camera from any PC provided they have user name and password details.

Mr Jeremy Simmonds, IT manager, Witchford Village College, explained:
“Now that the new network video system is installed it is much easier and quicker to reach images if we do need to review any incidents and we find the high image quality ensures that we can positively identify individuals concerned and email relevant video images if required to the authorities.”

Mr Steve Gorski, managing director, Axis Communications (UK), added:
“Witchford Village College, like many schools throughout the UK, is now able to compare the benefits of IP-Surveillance alongside traditional standalone CCTV systems. By looking at our network cameras’ output, users can clearly see the improved image quality, as well as the ease of storage and data movement, as compared with the older CCTV-based technologies. Simultaneously the school has created greater flexibility to expand, upgrade and improve its surveillance systems as its needs change so it’s effectively future-proofed its investment.”

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Notes to editors
¹Axis Communications is the global market leader of the network video market. The world market for network cameras alone will be worth more than $1 Billion by 2010. The network camera market is set to have a CAGR of close to 38 per cent per year over the next five years to reach a value of $1.3 billion by 2010, according to industry analyst house IMS Research (www.imsresearch.com) in its latest market report entitled ‘The World Market for CCTV and Video Surveillance Equipment 2006 Edition’ published in October 2006.

About Axis Communications
Axis is an IT company offering network video solutions for professional installations. The company is the global market leader in network video, driving the ongoing shift from analogue to digital video surveillance. Axis products and solutions focus on security surveillance and remote monitoring and are based on innovative, open technology platforms.

Axis is a Swedish-based company, operating worldwide with offices in 18 countries and cooperating with partners in more than 70 countries. Founded in 1984, Axis is listed on the Nordic List, Mid Cap and Information Technology exchanges. For more information about Axis, please visit our website at www.axis.com

About Witchford Village College
Witchford Village College serves 11-16 year olds, and is a mixed community comprehensive. Its awards include Specialist Sports College Status (2003), SportsMark, ArtsMark (Silver), Basic Skills Agency Quality Mark, International Schools Award and the Investors in People Award (renewed 2004). The current number of pupils on the school roll is 877.

The school is situated on the edge of Witchford village, a short distance from the City of Ely. Its extensive grounds, set in open countryside, offer a welcoming environment and a secure, orderly, inclusive place of learning. The college serves an extended rural catchment area that includes some ten local villages and hamlets. Some students also come from Ely. About three per cent of students are from traveller backgrounds. 95 per cent of students travel in by school bus. Its extensive liaison programme with its primary feeder schools and further education centres in Ely and Cambridge ensures effective and supportive progression through the Key Stages for all. The College is 'data rich' in its management of student learning.

For further information about Axis Communications in the UK and Ireland, please contact:
Steve Gorski, managing director, Axis Communications (UK) Limited
Tel: +44 (0) 870 162 0047. Email: steve.gorski@axis.com

For all UK and Ireland media enquiries, including requests for images and full case study copy, please contact:
Miles Clayton / Simon Bennett, Agility PR Limited
Tel: 01438 310139. Email: miles@agilitypr.co.uk /simon@agilitypr.co.uk