Westminster City Council is implementing advanced wireless

technology to revolutionise its public services.

BTSkyNet in conjunction with Cisco designed, configured and

deployed a bridged wireless network based on a bespoke version

of the Cisco 3200 Mobile Access Router”

40 wireless CCTV cameras are assisting are paving the way for a

potential City-wide wireless network which could be used to

improve the speed and quality of almost every service that the

Council provides in the years to come.

The pilot has successfully seen an area of Soho ‘networked’. Soho

was chosen because it offers a tough ‘proving ground’ for the

technology.

Four wireless cameras and a noise monitoring device have been

installed, which can be monitored and controlled via hand held

wireless equipment from within the pilot area, in addition to a

remote command centre in this case based within the council.

Council officers are also able to access the City Council’s network

from wireless-capable laptops and handheld equipment from

within the pilot area.

Opportunity

The majority of networks are Ethernet. That means all users are

linked from PCs or laptops, via cables, to a central server.

Wireless technology extends the Ethernet to the street or external

sites without the need for cabling. It can support any device that

could be put into digital form. This means that different functions

such as noise monitoring equipment, CCTV, or potentially

telephony can be sent via the wireless network.

To meet the overall Council objectives of improving services and

reducing crime, BTSkyNet were asked to design the latest WiFi

Network to provide connectivity of the entire Borough of

Westminster as well as supply, install and maintain the Wireless

equipment.

Objectives

To deliver CCTV and other government services over a WiFi

network. The Council have a vision to create a Wireless City.

Key Drivers for the project are:

Reduce the cost of delivering CCTV

• Cut Crime

• Save Money

• Improve workforce productivity

BTSkyNet had to establish lamp post locations suitable to provide

the required CCTV and Wireless Connectivity of the selected area

and design a robust WiFi solution that could handle the quality

sensitive video image in an area of high WiFi interference.

Solutions were identified following a wireless site survey.

With Westminster City Council having a range of potential

investors such as the Met Police, Anti Terrorist Squad, TFL and

various Government Departments it was imperative that the

solution was easy to maintain to retain the appearance and

operation of the showcase technology.

Solution

Initially, a site survey was undertaken by BTSkyNet to identify

lamppost locations suitable to provide the required CCTV and

Wireless Connectivity of the selected area. BTSkyNet then

designed a robust WiFi solution that could handle the quality

sensitive video images in an area of high WiFi interference.

Case Study Westminster City Council

www.skynetsystems.co.uk

Results/outcomes

Already, Council officers can to link to the Council’s network from the street, meaning that they can resolve

problems and access information immediately. In fight against drug crime, the police have already made arrests

thanks to the technology and disturbances are being targeted by monitoring noise levels. The Wireless City

project will allow Council officers and public sector partners to access real-time information from the City

Council’s network from anywhere in Westminster, using wireless laptops and other hand-held devices (PDAs,

notebooks etc). This information might include background data on planning applications, up-to-the-minute

details of the progress of individual refuse collections or live CCTV images.

The practical implications cut across all services. For example, in the future, the City’s schools

might be able to facilitate home working groups of children, or offer supporting language

classes to families where English is not the first language, via wireless broadband technology.

Parking meters would be able to accept credit cards and street lights would be monitored

remotely to ensure that they are working.

Delivery of services will be quick and efficient. There will be no need for officers to return to

offices, they can access information in real-time, deal with issues and file reports, all from the

field.

The scheme will have huge implications for the fight against crime and the fear of crime.

Westminster already has the UK’s most widespread CCTV network and wireless technology will

allow that network to take a huge leap forward.

The CCTV network can quickly adapt to the situation on the ground. If drug dealing is

taking place out of sight of the fixed cameras, the wireless CCTV network can quickly ensure

that the criminal’s new ‘patch’ is covered. Currently, the images from CCTV can only be

accessed at the control centre. Wireless CCTV can be viewed from anywhere covered by the

wireless network. Live footage can be viewed by several people at several locations at the

same time over broadband connections. Ultimately, police officers could feasibly watch a

criminal act, as it happens, from around the next corner on hand held devices and so ensure

that they have precise information on the suspects and terrain before making an arrest.

Already the wireless CCTV system has helped Police detain a suspected drug dealer in Soho.

Westminster’s plan is to roll out the wireless project to selected ‘hotspots’ across the City.

Selected areas might include communities where the system could support a range of

services – from community safety initiatives to social care projects.

www.skynetsystems.co.uk

Councillor Simon Milton, Leader of Westminster City Council said:

"The concept of the Wire free City is potentially one of the most exciting developments in Westminster's history. It will allow

us to offer opportunity to our residents through community education schemes on our housing estates and integrated social

service provision across the city. We will be better able to reduce the threat and the fear of crime through a flexible approach

to community safety, cleansing and CCTV - reacting to events and developments as they happen. It will also help us maintain

low taxes through the savings that the scheme can offer.

The pilot scheme is already delivering benefits to the Council and the police in our fight against drug crime in central London.

Arrests have already been made. As we continue to prove the scheme and roll it out to communities across the City we can

share real-time information with all our officers, with other public service providers and with our residents and businesses.

Westminster is set to become a community united by cutting edge technology and sharing in the benefits of progress."

www.skynetsystems.co.uk