Major upgrade of video infrastructure benefits Barnet London Borough Council

Barnet London Borough Council is the local authority for the London Boorugh of Barnet in Greater London. The Borough’s major urban settlements are Hendon, Finchley, Golders Green, Friern Barnet, Chipping Barnet, Whetstone and Edgware. It also includes the village settlements of Totteridge and Arkley, as well as rural areas that form part of the Green Belt. 

Barnet Council’s previous surveillance system was in a state of disrepair. Management also wanted to future-proof video infrastructure by adopting smarter technology capable of generating operational insights, improving efficiency and enhancing services for residents and local businesses alike. 

The decision was made to opt for a phased upgrade using the i-PRO X-Series Artificial Intelligence (AI) Processing Relay Application. The application adds AI-powered analytics to existing legacy cameras, including those from other manufacturers, effectively turning them into AI-enabled devices. This allows features such as people and vehicle detection and counting without replacing installed cameras or relying on expensive server-based processing.

The project also integrates new i-PRO cameras with a newly upgraded Control Room and an enhanced Genetec video management system (VMS).

The decision to go with i-PRO was influenced by its advanced AI capability and the substantial cost savings (estimated at £600,000 over five years) when compared to server-based alternatives. Additionally, the system’s scalability has allowed Barnet Council to expand its camera network without requiring extra server infrastructure, space or cooling requirements.

Multifunctional sensors 

“A key factor in the decision was the ability of i-PRO cameras to serve as multifunctional sensors, capturing both security footage and valuable urban analytics,” stated Aaron Stephens, managing director at installer DSSL Systems. “The cameras are used for people and vehicle counting, feeding real-time data into Power BI for Barnet Council’s internal reports.”

The analytics data is helping Barnet Council to plan future deployments in parks, railway stations and other high-traffic locations. The insights also help local businesses to understand footfall patterns and support more informed decisions around infrastructure investment, traffic management and public space planning.

“Unlike traditional server-based AI systems,” continued Stephens, “which places a heavy burden on network infrastructure, i-PRO cameras process analytics on the edge, transmitting only metadata rather than large video files.” This approach significantly reduces costs, while enabling faster and more efficient data analysis.

The system has been deployed with strict cyber security compliance in alignment with regulations such as the NDAA. Installed by DSSL Systems, the network adheres to stringent firewall policies and integrates seamlessly with the Genetec VMS, ensuring secure and reliable data management.

Forensic capabilities

Ben Durrant, account executive at Genetec UK and Ireland, informed Security Matters: “The i-PRO forensic capabilities are directly embedded within Genetec Security Centre, which enables Control Room operators to quickly find specific objects or events by filtering through attributes and characteristics captured by the cameras. This speeds up the investigative process and enhances collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Service.”

The deployment includes 127 X-Series bullet cameras for general safety and monitoring, ten fisheye cameras in libraries for heat-mapping and people counting and dual-view 5G redeployable units for festivals and outdoor events.

In Barnet’s libraries, the cameras also play a critical role in security, with audio detection triggering alerts for disturbances and automated people counting ensuring buildings are empty before lockdown procedures are initiated.

Barnet Council’s investment in smart city technology extends beyond security. Redeployable 5G cameras are being used to track attendance at public events, festivals and religious gatherings, providing valuable crowd insights for better planning within what is a culturally diverse community.

Moving into Phase Two

“With an initial £1 million investment,” observed Aaron Stephens, “Barnet Council has maximised existing infrastructure to expand its data capabilities without significant additional spending. Phase Two of the project, which has already been approved, will see the addition of 60-to-70 new i-PRO bullet cameras.”

Beyond security, the smart city and community safety teams are leveraging i-PRO’s capabilities for advanced applications such as people and vehicle analytics. A new trial for ANPR is also set to begin, potentially leading to a larger roll-out. Barnet Council has already started benefiting from i-PRO’s analytics, such as heat-mapping in libraries, but is awaiting governance approval before publicly sharing the results. The system complies with data privacy regulations as it doesn’t use facial recognition.

Looking to the future, Barnet Council is exploring additional Internet of Things integrations, including environmental sensors, flood detection and traffic signal co-ordination. These efforts will further enhance smart city infrastructure.

“This transparency, combined with i-PRO’s compliance with strict security standards, solidified Barnet Council’s trust in the solution,” affirmed Stephens. “The i-PRO team came in to answer questions from Barnet Council and delivered knowledge and honesty. Further, i-PRO’s deep integration with the Genetec security solutions portfolio creates a seamless ecosystem.”

Future scalability

As Barnet Council continues its journey towards a fully integrated smart city, the focus remains on future scalability and efficiency gains. The initial return on investment is still being assessed, but the long-term impact is clear: by leveraging real-time data insights, Barnet Council can optimise public spending, justify infrastructure investments and drive smarter and more connected urban development.

This deployment perfectly demonstrates how edge-based analytics can extend the value of video data beyond security, providing data that supports operational planning, resource allocation and future smart city initiatives.

*Further information is available online at www.i-pro.com