The Thames Valley CCTV Partnership has deployed Genetec Security Center to enhance the effectiveness and reliability of public space CCTV. This initiative shifts monitoring to dedicated Thames Valley Police control rooms, delivering cost efficiencies for local authorities while improving public safety.
Thames Valley Police, the largest non-Metropolitan force in England and Wales, covers multiple towns and city centres across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire. Public space CCTV is a vital tool in deterring crime, supporting investigations, and ensuring community safety. However, financial constraints have made it increasingly difficult for councils to sustain and upgrade their systems.
Led by the Thames Valley Police Commissioner, the partnership provides capital funding and reduces ongoing costs by pooling resources and implementing advanced technologies. Genetec Security Center, an open-architecture security platform, integrates a range of security applications into a single interface. Combined with Hanwha Vision AI-enabled cameras, the system offers expanded coverage, improved analytics, and streamlined operations.
“CCTV is crucial in tackling crime and antisocial behaviour. Continued investment ensures high-quality, sustainable provision for the future,” says Matthew Barber (pictured), Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley.
Following a competitive tender, Genetec Security Center was selected to unify existing systems, enabling Thames Valley Police to modernise its infrastructure without significant disruption. Phase one saw the transformation of control rooms in Milton Keynes and Slough, upgrading legacy analogue infrastructure to an IP-based system. The next phase will consolidate four control rooms in Oxfordshire into a central hub at Abingdon Police Station.
“The new system has revolutionised our workflows, making it easier for staff to review and package evidence for frontline officers,” says Jason Owen, CCTV Operations Manager, Thames Valley Police.
Ben Durrant, Account Executive at Genetec, adds, “This project demonstrates how a unified platform can enhance policing capabilities, making responses more efficient and proactive.”
By shifting control to Thames Valley Police, local authorities now have a sustainable CCTV solution, ensuring greater resilience and improved crime prevention for years to come.