SafetyNet Radio & OfficeNet

The aim of the Safetynet Radio system is to create a network of data and information sharing in the Hammersmith Town Centre via interaction through radios and regular meetings. The radio link system helps galvanise enhanced communication between different business sectors in order to help reduce crime, hostile reconnaissance and terrorism concerns and anti-social behaviour. Radio users are able to instantly reach the LBHF CCTV department and have them quickly alert police, PCSOs and other emergency services in response to incidents.

CCTV are able to record suspicious behaviour and potential threats to businesses within the town centre and instantly alert them to the danger. Businesses can also speak directly to each other to share concerns and strategy for dealing with upcoming events that could present a problem, thereby creating a free flow of information in and around the area. Any radio activity in the area can then be monitored and recorded by the CCTV operators on a new automated system which is housed in the CCTV room called RMS-NET.

Having had extensive consultation with crime managers, it was decided that a new channel would be brought in to serve the commercial sector within the Hammersmith Area.

The different channels available are:
• Retail and Leisure Radio Link
• Office/Commercial Radio Link (OfficeNet).

The reason for this split is that each sector has its own unique focus and requirements. Large offices in the area do not necessarily need to receive information regarding shoplifters operating on King Street. The same applies to the retailers who may not be concerned with the information passed around by the office sector.

The upgraded Safetynet system is of professional standard and will last for many years, foregoing the need for replacements and more capital upgrades further down the line. The radio system selected for HammersmithLondon Safetynet is ICOM, as they are a reliable and popular make with the capacity to add additional features as the system grows.

ICOM radios are used with the RMS-NET radio management system and have a good level of technology to support the system. Icom were also recommended by the Maidstone business partnership who operate a successful radio link in their town. As the radios are being distributed to businesses, existing radios on the system will become less usable and eventually obsolete. RMS-NET will be able to track any of the older or unregistered radios and remotely disable them (‘stun’ them). This will ensure that all radios on the system will be fully accounted for and the businesses will be accountable for their correct usage.

In terms of security, the system can monitor stolen or hijacked radios (this is where the radio frequency is copied from the handset and duplicated causing a breach the system with an unauthorised user) and ‘kill’ them. This is where a signal is sent to the radio which disables it permanently, the radio is then inoperative and cannot be used to compromise the system. Each handset will carry a unique ID to identify its user. Each business user will have their usage monitored by RMS-NET to ensure that they are using the system properly and adhering to protocols.

The radios themselves also have ‘panic buttons’ that can be pressed to alert CCTV via RMS-NET that the radio user is in need of assistance and cannot necessarily respond via the radio. The alarm is then flagged up as an emergency on RMS-NET and may be used as additional corroborative evidence in case of a serious incident. CCTV will then alert the police/PCSOs who will respond to the panic button caller.

For more information, please contact Matthew John on 020 8741 8157.

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