E-pub: monitoring the ban
Whether it's reality TV or iconic images of the July 7 bombers about to attack London's transport network, modern Britain is clearly obsessed with monitoring people.In pubs, the importance of closed circuit television (CCTV) has grown with the arrival of the smoking ban. There are concerns over customers and staff flouting the law, lighting up a crafty fag indoors when they suspect they can get away with it. And, of course, pubs are open to sizable fines if they cannot prove they are attempting to stop this from happening.
The good news is that advances in technology are making CCTV's abilities more comprehensive than ever before. Unreliable analogue recording is being replaced by crystal-clear digital. Internet Protocol (IP) systems, whereby cameras and recorders are connected to the internet to provide greater control and ease of playback, is becoming the norm.
"The publican is the person at risk of prosecution under the smoking ban," says Justin Harrison of CCTV producer Panasonic, "so a means of monitoring is something they will need to look into."
The ban also means it is far more important to be aware what is going on outside the pub, whether in a purpose-built shelter or where crowds of customers gather to smoke in a doorway. With greater numbers drawn outside, pubs could be held responsible for their behaviour - littering or noise levels, for example.
Recommended coverage
Justin recommends that most pubs will require four or five cameras to achieve decent coverage of their premises. The most important camera is the one facing the doorway and keeping an accurate record of those coming in. In addition to this, cameras might cover the outside area in which smokers gather, fire escapes and important indoor areas such as tills or recesses that might harbour crafty smokers.
Cameras can be added to or subtracted from this basic model. The advantage of IP, says Justin, is that there are far fewer wires involved. With older models, a power supply was needed for every camera. Now only one power supply is required, which reduces costs.
Picture quality
Digital and IP technology means much clearer images. Where you have a mixture of analogue and digital equipment, analogue signals need to be 'transmitting' to the newer equipment, with the transfer resulting in lost image quality. With entirely digital technology you don't get these conversion issues.
Remote access
Because coverage is viewed over the internet, goings-on at the pub can be viewed remotely, away from the premises. Passwords can be set to allow only certain users - licensees and senior staff, for example - access to this.
Durability
Modern CCTV cameras are tough, a crucial requirement as any user will know. They are open not only to accidental damage in a busy pub, but to deliberate vandalism. Customers keen for whatever they are doing not to be detected may be willing to cover lenses or damage the unit. One of the latest Panasonic systems even has a function that sends out an alert when a lens is covered.
There are plenty who loathe Big Brother - the feeling that society in general is consistently being spied upon. In June, the Conservatives attacked the government for issuing smoking ban guidance that will turn licensees into "secret police" or "smoking snoops" in tracking employees suspected of flouting the ban.However, the undeniable reality is that CCTV culture has got its foot firmly in pubs' doors. Big Brother is watching.
