Member Article

SAFC brings in CCTV specialists to increase safety on Derby Day

SAFC has partnered with CCTV technology specialists to make the Stadium of Light a safer environment for supporters attending this weekend’s Wear-Tyne Derby.

A special high resolution Panomera CCTV camera, which is manufacturer by German camera specialist Dallmeier, can clearly identify any individual within the stadium and has been installed to assist the police and club safety staff.

The camera is able to capture detailed footage of the stadium’s entire away section, whilst being able to rewind and zoom in as they continue to record.

The new technology proved its worth in January as the Black Cats played host to Leeds United in the FA Cup.

A smoke grenade was set off in the visitor’s section of the north stand and using the new Panomera CCTV system, police and club security staff were quickly able to identify the individual and an arrest was made.

The individual pleaded guilty and has been given a three-year football banning order.

The Panomera camera will be operating during Sunday’s derby fixture, ensuring that the club and police can quickly identify any supporters engaging in anti-social behaviour.

Sunderland AFC’s head of safety, Paul Weir, said: “This system helps us to ensure that we can create a safer environment for everyone at the Stadium of Light. We take a zero-tolerance approach to any form of anti-social behaviour and using this system we can identify and deal with any such occurrences very efficiently.

“It shows the whole of the away section on one screen, allowing us to instantly view footage of an incident, along with the minutes preceding the incident. When something occurs such as a smoke grenade being set off or a missile being thrown, we can rewind to the incident and zoom in so we see effectively see the smoke rewinding back into the canister and into the hand of the offender, likewise missiles zoom backwards to the throwers hand.

“In the case of the Leeds game the individual responsible was clearly identified in the act. The technology enabled the police to make an arrest during the game and the camera footage was used as evidence in what was a successful prosecution.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .