Safer shopping: Motorola Solutions' safety and security ecosystem enhances the shopping experience and protects the public and employees

The Liberty

Located in the heart of Romford, East London, The Liberty is a prominent shopping centre for fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and accessories. It spans over 40,100 m² of retail space, featuring approximately 100 shops, various food outlets, and 800 parking spaces. The centre attracts an annual footfall of 13.6 million, averaging around 262,000 shoppers weekly.

Guarding UK (GUK)

Guarding UK (GUK) is a leading provider of high-quality security and service management solutions with over 20 years of experience. As a member of the government-accredited SIA Approved Contractor Scheme, GUK manages over 2,000 sites across the UK, employing approximately 850 staff. The company protects assets valued at circa £40bn in commercial, corporate, and residential sectors, including retail, property owners, and management agents. GUK offers a comprehensive range of services, from daily security operations to long-term risk management strategies, prioritizing outstanding customer service and valuing its employees, clients, and their customers.

Challenge

To ensure the safety and security of its shoppers, employees, and premises, The Liberty initiated a project to replace its outdated security systems. This included upgrading fixed security cameras, the IP network, and refurbishing the control room. Guarding UK (GUK), the security provider for The Liberty, also aimed to introduce body cameras for first-hand evidence and as a deterrent, alongside upgrading its radio systems, which were becoming obsolete and lacked reliable coverage across the entire centre. Both The Liberty and GUK sought to connect these new systems, particularly the radios and body cameras, to enable a faster, more coordinated response to incidents, thereby enhancing shopper and guard safety.

Solution

Motorola Solutions partner Link CCTV Systems was awarded the tender for the initial security systems upgrade. They deployed a range of solutions, including numerous Avigilon H5A dome cameras and H5 Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras, installed both inside and outside the shopping centre to provide high-definition video coverage of all areas. The integrated video analytics allow control room teams to quickly zoom in on events of interest or locate missing persons using appearance search functionality.

Following this installation, GUK partnered with Radiocoms Systems Ltd, another Motorola Solutions partner, to incorporate body cameras and update the radio communication system for their guards at The Liberty. Radiocoms, in collaboration with Motorola Solutions distributor XEVA, conducted on-site surveys and testing. They installed a repeater on the shopping centre's roof and antennas to ensure robust coverage throughout the site and surrounding areas, including car parks. Guards and security personnel were equipped with MOTOTRBO™ R7 radios, featuring full keypads and earpieces, configured for digital emergency calls and quick text messaging.

GUK guards are now also equipped with VB400 body cameras, which can be activated during an incident to provide first-hand perspective evidence, complementing the fixed video recordings. These body cameras feature peer-assisted recording (activating automatically if a colleague's VB400 within a 10m radius starts recording), pre- and post-recording, and recording triggered by a radio user pressing the emergency button, ensuring critical moments are captured. The cameras record prosecution-grade video and audio. The VideoManager software allows control room teams to securely prepare, process, and share evidence with authorities, and has already been used to prosecute shoplifters. The cameras also serve as a deterrent, helping to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour by de-escalating incidents. The cameras are charged on a multi-unit docking station and can be logged in and out via RFID, with the system assigning users to cameras based on firmware, charge status, and VideoManager logs for full transparency.

Link CCTV and Radiocoms provide ongoing support and service for their respective system components. Since the installation of the new safety and security system, there has been minimal need for maintenance or intervention.

"The integrated systems from Motorola Solutions and their partners mean we now have a single automated high-performance system, which is user-friendly and cost-effective; the solution enables faster, informed decision-making and an effective, quicker response to incidents such as vandalism, theft, or antisocial behaviour. There are far less false accusations and incidents and those we are faced with often de-escalate quickly; however, we also have prosecution-grade video and audio evidence, if needed. Our security guards feel safer too. I would happily recommend this security solution and Radiocoms to other clients.”
Dion Redelinghuys, Head of Operations, Guarding UK

“Our new video systems capture many more events due to the vast improvement in the quality of the cameras and the pictures they display on the monitor wall. And the cameras allow our security team to accurately view all events at any given time.”
Tom Stobbart, Centre Manager, The Liberty

Benefits

Safer environment for shoppers, retail employees and security guards
Clear, crisp radio communications across all areas
High-definition fixed video footage across the site, with AI-driven analytics for fast, targeted incident resolution
Evidence-grade, first-hand perspective video
Automation and connected systems for a faster, coordinated incident response
Powerful deterrent to de-escalate potential incidents
Easy-to-use, highly reliable, intelligent systems with very little maintenance and support required

Solutions Implemented

A MOTORBO Capacity Plus system comprising:

1 x SLR5500 repeater
30+ x MOTOTRBO R7 portable radios with full keypad and accessories

Body cameras:

VB400 body cameras with RFID tags and Klick Fast shoulder harnesses

VideoManager

Video security system:

A range of Avigilon cameras including 40 x H5A dome cameras and 25 x H5 PTZ cameras
Avigilon Unity Video software (VMS)

Integration achieved:

VB400s with R7s for automatic recording on pushing the R7's emergency button
VB400s with other VB400s for paired recording

Future integration:

VB400 footage with the Avigilon VMS for live streaming and enhanced situational awareness

Services:

Motorola Solutions extended warranties, with service and support from Radiocoms and Link CCTV

Further Benefits

Both The Liberty and GUK are highly positive about the installation and recognize the potential for future system expansion, such as integrating body camera livestreams directly into the Avigilon VMS via ONVIF compliance, or utilizing Radio Alert for Avigilon Unity Video alarms on guards' radios. Mark Blythe, Managing Director at Radiocoms, noted that the installation has been well-received, with both teams acknowledging the potential for system capability expansion.

An interconnected system allows The Liberty and GUK to operate more efficiently and effectively, enhancing shopper, guard, and asset protection while de-escalating potential incidents. Guards benefit from reliable radio signals and body cameras for evidence, which helps prevent false accusations and de-escalate situations. Store owners have reported a reduction in violent and anti-social behaviour, feeling more secure with GUK's enhanced security presence powered by the latest technology. The automation and interconnectivity enable GUK guards to activate all relevant technology almost instantaneously, significantly speeding up incident response times and allowing guards to focus on their duties while meeting The Liberty's security KPIs.

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