When it comes to safety, gas stations need special attention. Telsec developed intelligent security concepts for custom-fit use at petrol stations.
Intelligent video surveillance through comprehensive security concepts
In the statistics, the gas station is one of the targets that are more likely to be hit by robberies in retail. The petrol station is open at night and there are only a few employees. The escape possibilities are especially optimal in areas near the border. In order to protect employees and prevent damage to the company, the renowned company Telsec develops tailor-made security concepts. This is where Telsec ESS Schweiz AG comes in intelligent video surveillance. The tried and tested system enables the entire gas station site and business area to be recorded without gaps.
Recording from refueling to payment
The recording begins at the pump with the refueling process. There the system carries out a license plate identification. In this way, in the event of fuel fraud, the perpetrator can be found quickly and safely. Thanks to the intelligent system and the very high recording quality, optimal prevention is possible. A hint at the entrance area that a video system is in place often prevents potential perpetrators from attacking. For many criminals, the risk of being transferred is simply too great. But only those who are on the legally safe side in terms of data protection and rely on a comprehensive security concept - from the gas pump to the shop to the checkout area - can protect themselves sustainably against robbery and theft.
Prevention against assault and theft
The robbery isn't the only worry gas station owners have. Thefts are also common at petrol stations. The individual security concepts from Telsec offer secure prevention against attacks and theft. Find out how protection can be guaranteed in the individual areas.
Gasoline theft
In order to prevent or clear up gasoline theft, the registration of the license plate is necessary. For this purpose, a high-resolution camera is to be used for each petrol pump station or for each lane. The high quality optics are able to identify the license plate of the vehicle in question. Difficult lighting conditions are no problem for professional fixtures. The cameras should have a wide dynamic function for this. This makes it possible to take very good pictures even in difficult lighting conditions. An important focus is also on the image section. This must not be larger than three meters in order to make the license plate clearly legible.
Shoplifting
Petrol station owners often operate an integrated petrol station shop. This often becomes the scene of shoplifting. To prevent this, many owners are already using it Article surveillance and several high resolution infrared cameras. Ideally, there is one camera per aisle that records what is happening in the shop area. Overview monitors can be installed as an option. These are primarily used to prevent theft. Visible to the visitors, several camera images from the petrol station are shown on a sufficiently large monitor.
Friendship and relatives purchases
Another problem is the discounted purchases made by employees for friends and relatives. Employees at a petrol station often receive a discount for their own purchases. Passing on the discount to members of the household or friends is not permitted. Video surveillance is able to detect these sales. For this purpose, a high-resolution color camera is installed above each checkout. The cash register, the counter and the customer should be visible from the front from the camera perspective. In order to be able to uncover a so-called friendship and kinship purchase, a module registers the current cash register data and connects it to the customer's image. This makes it possible to track purchases. This part of the security concept offers another advantage: if a customer buys just a small thing and leaves the petrol station with a full tank of fuel, fuel fraud is undoubtedly traceable.
Robbery
A robbery can often be prevented by the deterrent effect of a camera. However, it is also important to be able to identify and apprehend the perpetrator in the event of a robbery. For this purpose, a high-resolution IP color camera should display the entrance door in the entrance area in full format. In this way it is possible to produce high-quality video images of perpetrators in the event of a robbery. In the event of a robbery, these images can provide very important clues. The installation of an additional room camera is also recommended. This provides a general overview of the shop and, in the event of a robbery, records the detailed course of events.
Alarm verification
As a supplement to video surveillance, alarm verification can provide additional security. This is a burglar alarm system, which ideally makes sense in the shop area and in the warehouse. The alarm system is triggered by an emergency button located in the checkout area. When the button is triggered, the images from all cameras are remotely transmitted to a security center. This can quickly initiate the necessary measures.
Why gas stations should be secured
Intelligent video surveillance effectively protects the employees of a petrol station as well as the owner from a robbery, from fuel fraud and from shoplifting. Unauthorized discounted friendship and kinship purchases can also be proven. If you are the owner of a petrol station and would like to find out more about prevention options, please contact us. We offer you individual advice that we can carry out on site at your petrol station. The consultation is of course free of charge.
The installation of video surveillance at the gas station requires a high quality camera. To maintain safety, it is necessary to choose the correct lens. The same applies to the installation location of the camera, the measurement of the angle of view and the adjustment of the settings. Some gas station owners believe that it is sufficient to rely on dummy cameras. This is not sufficient protection, as experienced burglars can recognize dummies immediately.
Recognize professional video concept
A professional video concept relies on an image storage system that is geared towards the activities of the visitors. This applies in particular to exercise and refueling activities. The system should only record when something is really moving. Failure to do so could result in data overload. It is also necessary that the image acquisition rate is at least 15 images per second. This is the only way that details can be sufficiently recognized. The stored data should be available for a period of two to three weeks. The output of the video material should be simple and equally secure. This is the only way to react quickly to an incident.
The requirements for an effective petrol station security concept are therefore high. If you want to upgrade your petrol station to a high level of security with regard to theft and robbery, you should rely on a professional video surveillance system. Only then is your petrol station reliably protected. A professional system for video surveillance not only offers a high level of protection, but also helps to resolve criminal offenses quickly. For example, it is possible to have the damage reimbursed by the perpetrator or an insurance company.
Our personal advice - free of charge and without obligation
Do you own a petrol station and would you like comprehensive advice? Telsec ESS Schweiz AG sees itself as your professional partner in the field of security concepts for petrol stations. In Switzerland, more than 2.000 petrol stations are already protected with comprehensive security measures. Would you like more information or a individual advice? Arrange a personal consultation with us, which is of course free of charge for you.
