‘Listening’ CCTV cameras tested in Glasgow

Story link: ‘Listening’ CCTV cameras tested in Glasgow by Jan Harris

Back in March 2008 CCTV Core reported that pioneering CCTV cameras with sound detection technology were being tested in Coventry.

Now the Netherlands-based company responsible for the innovative cameras, Sound Intelligence, is back in the UK to test the system in Glasgow.

The system, called Sigard, can distinguish aggressive voices from other loud noises, and will only record sounds of aggression, not day to day conversations.

The technology is said to be able to identify distinct sound patterns with a level of effectiveness similar to human hearing.

As well as aggression the technology can identify the sound characteristics of anger or fear, and will send out an alert.

It will also trigger the camera nearest the incident or other security surveillance devices.

Sound Intelligence’s ‘listening CCTV cameras’ are already deployed in Coventry, London and Manchester, although not on a large scale.

The cameras, which record images as well as sound, are also in use in cities and detention centres in the Netherlands.

The current trial in Glasgow has raised some concern over privacy.

Patrick Harvie MSP, the co-leader of the Scottish Greens, has called for transparency over the testing of new surveillance technologies, giving people more information about them, and greater control over their deployment.